#ShowYourGold for St. Jude

Did you know it costs more than $1 billion to operate St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital each year, and almost all of that funding comes from donations? St. Jude treats thousands of children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases each year, and it’s made possible by teamwork. 

When we say teamwork, we mean it. There are hundreds of organizations and people who come together to raise money every single day to keep the lights on at St. Jude, and Varsity Spirit has been a part of the mission to fight childhood cancer for over a decade now. Every donation counts and every bit of effort is important to raise awareness for childhood cancer and diseases— this month and beyond. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and we’re rallying our community to #ShowYourGold this month by spreading the word, raising money, or participating in the virtual walk/run on September 26th! There are lots of ways to team up for St. Jude, and we hope you’ll join us. 

Last year, with your help, Varsity Spirit raised over $2 million for St. Jude through the letter witting campaign at camps, Team Up for St. Jude Game Day Events, employee donations, apparel sales, and the list goes on… Since 2011 our team has been dedicated to funding the mission, and it’s more than just a partnership. In 2019 Varsity received The Spirit of St. Jude Award for embodying the mission of St. Jude and fostering the spirit of philanthropy in thousands of young people. 

Jackie Kennedy, Varsity Spirit Vice President of Marketing & Communications, has been a passionate leader within the partnership from the beginning. “We are so lucky to be able to see and support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude firsthand here at Varsity Spirit. We have been able to donate millions to help the kids of St. Jude and it’s because of cheerleaders and dancers leading the way in their schools and communities. Every time I walk into the hospital, I feel hopeful, because I look around and see the hope and optimism on the faces of the kids, because they know they are receiving care from the best in the world,” Kennedy says. 

The mission is close to the heart for Varsity employees and for Brian Denton, Mountain West Regional Manager, also close to home. “As a St. Jude Dad that has seen first-hand the extraordinary work the hospital does for children and their families, I applaud Varsity Spirit for partnering with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to raise awareness on their collaborative mission to fight childhood cancer and other deadly diseases,” he says. 

The employees and spirit community care deeply about the mission to fight childhood cancer, and not only do Varsity Spirit employees donate from their paychecks, they also donate their time by volunteering at The Target House, a place where patient families stay while their child is undergoing treatment. It takes a dynamic team effort to keep spirits high at St. Jude, and showing up as a volunteer or fundraiser is equally important. “It’s incredible to watch teams come together for St. Jude! I love to see the spirit that cheerleaders and dancers bring to their fundraisers, pep-rallies, and Team Up for St. Jude Game Days.  It reminds us all what is truly important here, and how we can join forces to make a difference in the lives of children and families of St. Jude, a time in their lives when they need support and spirit most,” says Varsity Spirit Rep, Kelsey Levy. 

Varsity All Star has amplified their involvement to further St. Jude’s mission by incorporating the philanthropy at competitions and in gyms. In 2019 CHEERSPORT Nationals raised over $100,000 at their Friday Night Live event, and an incredible $4,000 was raised in just 5 minutes during THE MAJORS’ St. Jude Dash for Cash! Community involvement and leadership is a big part of the all star experience and as teams continue to step up and get involved, more fundraising events are created! From showcases, clinics, bake sales and open gyms, teams and coaches are more creative than ever in hosting events to make a difference and give back. 

At St. Jude the work is never complete — there’s always a need to further the work of cancer research and care. And as long as there’s a need, Varsity Spirit will lead the way in the spirit community to answer the call for fundraising and support. If you’d like to support St. Jude or learn more about their lifesaving mission, visit stjude.org/varsity and #ShowYourGold this September,