St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital honors outstanding supporters, partners at volunteer awards dinner

From the moment of its founding 60 years ago, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^® has been fueled by the collective dedication of leaders, employees and supporters working toward a world in which no child dies in the dawn of life. Several outstanding supporters and partners were honored for their efforts toward this shared vision at a volunteer awards dinner on the St. Jude campus on Sunday, July 10.

“We were thrilled to honor an incredible group of supporters and partners who have generously given their time and shared their talents to advance the lifesaving work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “We’re grateful for these individuals and organizations that help raise the funds needed to fuel the six-year, record $12.9 billion St. Jude strategic plan that expands patient care and research to help more children worldwide with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”

The honorees came from multiple walks of life and represented groups and individuals both new and established in their commitment to St. Jude.

Some, like Judi York, who received the Epsilon Sigma Alpha Appreciation Award for outstanding individual volunteer, have long been part of the larger St. Jude family. For more than 45 years, York has contributed to the work of St. Jude in her hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, through events like the St. Jude Walk/Run and the St. Jude Dream Home^® Giveaway.

High school students Kayla Anderson and Carter Gonzalez earned the Jerry Nicholson Award, given in memory of a St. Jude patient who led fundraising campaigns in the early 1960s, for skiing more than 100,000 vertical feet and raising $20,000 for St. Jude.

Honored posthumously was Robert F. Sharpe Jr. who received the Spirit of ALSAC Award for his tireless dedication to raising funds for St. Jude across a decade-long tenure that began in the 1970s.

A civil rights champion, former Alabama State Sen. Hank Sanders, was presented with the Good Samaritan Award for exemplifying the parable of the Good Samaritan by showing love and care to all, regardless of color or creed. The parable is referenced in the preamble to the constitution of ALSAC and guided the creation of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as a place that treats all children no matter their race, beliefs or ability to pay.

Tim McIntyre, former Domino’s executive vice president of communications, investor relations and government affairs, received the St. Jude Executive Pioneer Award – an award given to a partner who has demonstrated consistent growth and exemplary service to St. Jude. Domino’s robust list of contributions to St. Jude is highlighted by McIntyre’s fundraising efforts and 38-year career with the company, including most recently, the new patient housing that will open in 2023.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority was presented the award for Ambassador of the Year, recognizing its countless efforts to go above and beyond to share the message of St. Jude. In celebration of its 100th anniversary this year, Sigma Gamma Rho has pledged to raise $1 million for St. Jude.

With a culture known for compassion and giving back, Leslie’s, Inc. was named the St. Jude New Corporate Partner of the Year for making significant contributions to St. Jude during the first year of partnership. Corporate partners are crucial to raising the necessary funds to maintain and advance the St. Jude mission and the partnership resulted in more than $350,000 raised in its inaugural year.

To learn about different ways to get involved with St. Jude, sign up here. Register for a local St. Jude Walk/Run event this September and join supporters across the United States in helping fight childhood cancer.