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Danny Thomas Celebrity-Am Brings Stars Together to Support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 2026 Danny Thomas Celebrity-Am, held Aug. 13 during FedEx St. Jude Championship week, welcomed St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® patients and families who joined athletes, entertainers, influencers and community leaders for a day of golf and philanthropy in support of the lifesaving mission of St. Jude.

The event brought together a diverse group of celebrities from the worlds of sports, entertainment, music and digital media, all united by a shared commitment to helping ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food so they can focus on helping their child live.

Celebrity teams finishing at the top of the leaderboard included athlete Alexis Belton in first place, followed by teams led by NBA legend/broadcaster Brevin Knight and actor/comedian Katt Williams in second and third place, respectively.

"The Danny Thomas Celebrity-Am is a meaningful celebration of the compassion and generosity that have fueled the St. Jude mission for generations," said Ike Anand, president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "We are grateful to the athletes, entertainers, influencers and community leaders who joined us in support of St. Jude and helped carry forward Danny Thomas' vision that no child should die in the dawn of life. Their advocacy helps raise awareness, inspire supporters, and advance the research and treatment that give children around the world a better chance to survive and thrive."

The presence of Tony Thomas, son of St. Jude founder Danny Thomas, underscored the enduring legacy of the event and the continued impact of the mission his father established more than six decades ago.

Throughout the week, celebrity participants spent time learning firsthand about the St. Jude mission, including meeting with patients and families, touring the St. Jude campus, and hearing stories of hope and resilience. These experiences helped reinforce the importance of raising awareness and support for children facing cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

The event featured returning supporters and first-time participants from across sports, entertainment and digital media, including:

  • Actors and entertainers: Jackie Flynn, Alex Moffat, Kevin Rahm and Katt Williams
  • Musicians: Adam Doleac, Lily Rose, Marco Antonio Solís and Matt Stell
  • Athletes: Alexis Belton, Troy Daniels, Penny Hardaway, Lionel Hollins, Santonio Holmes, Luke Kennard, Fred Taylor, Delon Wright and Dorell Wright
  • Broadcasters and media personalities: Nikki Blades, Michael Breed, Pete Pranica, Brevin Knight and Rico León
  • Influencers: Brynley Arnold and Donny McGinnis, Ashton DiBlasi, Kristi Hemric and David Guttag, Johnny McCarthy, Lunden and Olivia Stallings, Avery Woods and David Woods

The Memphis PGA TOUR stop has helped generate critical support for St. Jude families for more than five decades through the longstanding partnership between St. Jude, FedEx and the PGA TOUR.

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was largely considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80%, and it won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers around the world improve the quality of treatment and care for even more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Support the St. Jude mission by donating at stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.

Contacts

Media Contact:
Kurt Rossler
kurt.rossler@alsac.stjude.org
901-297-3512

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital


Release Versions

Contacts

Media Contact:
Kurt Rossler
kurt.rossler@alsac.stjude.org
901-297-3512

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