ESA & St. Jude: Making a Difference Together

In 1972, ESA officially recognized St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^® – the largest center for treatment and research of pediatric cancer and other childhood catastrophic diseases in the U.S. – as a national project. As a result of ESA members' enthusiastic response to a heartfelt personal appeal by the hospital’s founder, Danny Thomas, became ESA members' first internationally supported charity.

Thousands of children each year are treated at the hospital regardless of their ability to pay. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.

In 2025, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has been named the most trusted nonprofit in Morning Consult’s annual Most Trusted Nonprofits for the fourth year in a row, this year earning the highest trust ranking across all demographic segments surveyed. St. Jude also received the highest reputation score of all 3,000 for-profit and nonprofit brands in the US studied by Morning Consult.

In 2012, ALSAC showed its appreciation for ESA members' dedicated 40 years of fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, presenting ESA with a new naming space at the hospital. Located at the Patient Care Plaza on the first floor of the St. Jude campus, this space was chosen because patients enter or pass through it every day. 


 
ALSAC and ESA representatives and a St. Jude patient family at the official ribbon cutting for the new dedication space in the Patient Care Plaza.


"An army of volunteers - that goes back to Danny Thomas in the very beginning, when he said he wanted to create St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, he knew that it was going to take an army of people to make this happen. And there is no better group that embraced Danny's call to service than ESA." - Rick Shadyac, Former ALSAC CEO



ESA members from the University of Florida tour the ESA dedicated space by the Kay Cafe.
 

How ESA Members Support St. Jude

ESA members are passionate about supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, raising funds and awareness through a variety of engaging events. Whether you love fitness challenges, game nights, or creative fundraisers, there’s a way for you to get involved. 

• Team ESA: St. Jude Fitness Events
  Members participate in the St. Jude Walk and the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend, running or walking to support life-saving research and patient care. Learn more about getting involved and register for TEAM ESA today.

• ESA Bunco for St. Jude
  Chapters and members organize Bunco events or partner with local groups to raise funds in a fun, social setting.

• Annual IC Challenge
  At ESA’s International Council Convention, members take part in a themed challenge event to support St. Jude.

• Member-Led Fundraisers
  ESA members get creative with events like paint-and-pour parties, bowlathons, golf tournaments, mystery dinners, and auctions, all benefiting St. Jude. 

• Volunteering at St. Jude Regional Events
  Register for the St. Jude Volunteer Management System for information on ALSAC hosted regional events. Be sure to select ESA as your group/organization.
   

To learn more about St. Jude, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

ESA’s partnership with St. Jude is just one of the ways our members create a lasting impact. Join us and be part of something bigger.

Already a member and want to start fundraising for St. Jude? Click here to check out our St. Jude Campaign page!

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