Carnival commits $15M to St. Jude by 2024
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital landed a fundraising commitment worth millions on September 25, after established partner Carnival Cruise Lines reached its previous fundraising destination early.
Carnival President Christine Duffy announced at St. Jude that the cruise line will raise $15 million for the Memphis institution by 2024 in its latest fundraising commitment.
Carnival already hit its 2021 fundraising goal early, presenting St. Jude with a $10 million check for that commitment. In all, Carnival says it's raised $18 million for the Memphis institution so far and aims to get to $33 million raised in total by 2024.
Rick Shadyac Jr., CEO of St. Jude's fundraising and awareness organization ALSAC, said St. Jude and Carnival's partnership is “a logical connection,” as the hospital likes to provide a fun-filled atmosphere for children just as much as Carnival does. Carnival's presence throughout the world's ports helps raise awareness of St. Jude's mission on a global scale, as well, he said.
During the event, Shadyac brought attention to St. Jude Global and the initiative's ambitious push to raise global survival rates for the most common types of cancer. Shadyac said where someone lives is the largest determinant of their health care outcome, adding that he bet Carnival agrees with him that this reality “is a gross inequity.”
“We can only dream as big as we're dreaming because of committed partners like Carnival,” he said.
St. Jude calls Carnival its “official Celebration Partner,” as the cruise line supports various hospital celebrations such as the St. Jude Teen formal and the annual Day of Play event.
Duffy said around 800,000 out of Carnival's 5 million annual guests are children, making a partnership with an institution focusing on childhood cancer and other pediatric diseases especially important.
“When you're here on campus, you don't feel sad,” Duffy said of St. Jude. “They do everything to make it fun and hopeful and uplifting for the kids and families.”
Carnival, a St. Jude partner since 2010, had hotel directors from across its fleet attend the announcement in Memphis. Carnival also announced its new
est ship, the Mardi Gras, will include St. Jude patient art.
Carnival’s “most anticipated” ship will have sculpture artwork designed by St. Jude patients featured, which Duffy called “a constant reminder of our support to St. Jude” to Carnival’s guests. Mardi Gras will also feature BOLT, which Carnival claims is the first roller coaster at sea.
Carnival held its Day of Play event at St. Jude following the announcement, featuring an “endless summer” theme and giving St. Jude patients time to have fun with various props that will be on the Mardi Gras, Duffy said.
Max Garland covers Fedex, logistics and health care for The Commercial Appeal. Reach him at max.garland@commercialappeal.com or 901-529-2651 and on Twitter @Maxgarlandtypes.