-

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. announces new $2 million fundraising commitment for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

In more than 20 years of partnership, the fraternity has raised more than $3M to advance ongoing research and treatment for childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., a beacon of service and commitment, celebrated its enduring alliance with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® at the Vicennium Partnership Banquet at the Masonic Temple. The event was hosted by the Memphis (TN) Alumni Chapter, the University of Memphis Chapter, the Kappa Beta of Kappa Alpha Psi, and sponsored by the local Memphis Kappa Alpha Psi ®Achievement Foundation.

For more than two decades, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with St. Jude in efforts to create impactful change in the lives of children worldwide with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Since 2003, the fraternity has raised more than $3 million for the renowned children’s hospital through programs like St. Jude Sunday of Hope and the annual St. Jude Walk/Run, held during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month each September. At the event, the fraternity announced a new goal of raising an additional $2 million in the next three years.

"Our friends at Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. have humbled us with their dedication and sense of service over the past 20 years in their support of the kids and families of St. Jude," said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. “With this latest commitment, together, they are not only building a legacy – but they are helping save lives and create hope where it is needed most. Thanks to this partnership, St. Jude can impact more of the 400,000 kids around the world with cancer and other life-threatening diseases each year.”

Fundraising by the fraternity and other partner organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council help ensure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live.

"We value our partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and this new fundraising commitment will further help us support research and treatment of catastrophic childhood diseases and illness," said Jimmy McMikle, Kappa Alpha Psi’s Grand Polemarch [International President]. “I encourage our members, affiliates, and friends across the globe to help the fraternity continue our efforts to assist St. Jude in fulfilling its vision.”

Help Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and St. Jude give every child a chance to live their best life and celebrate every moment.

About Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is an international Greek-letter organization founded on January 5, 1911, on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Under the motto “Training for Leadership in Every Field of Human Endeavor,” the fraternity has initiated hundreds of thousands of members across 644 active undergraduate and alumni chapters across the United States since its inception. It has international chapters in Abu Dhabi UAE, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Dominican Republic, Grand Bahamas, Germany, Japan, Nigeria, South Korea, and US Virgin Islands. The Fraternity’s International Headquarters is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Additional information about Kappa Alpha Psi® is available at www.KappaAlphaPsi1911.com.

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 Relations Contacts:

John F. Burrell, Executive Director
215-228-7184, ext. 123
jburrell@KappaAlphaPsi1911.com

Lillie Flenorl, Media Relations Advisor
(901) 930-7993
lillie.flenorl@alsac.stjude.org

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital


Release Versions

Contacts

Media Relations Contacts:

John F. Burrell, Executive Director
215-228-7184, ext. 123
jburrell@KappaAlphaPsi1911.com

Lillie Flenorl, Media Relations Advisor
(901) 930-7993
lillie.flenorl@alsac.stjude.org

More News From St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Mobilizes Support Across the U.S. for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This September, supporters across the country will rally behind St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®, joining a nationwide movement to raise awareness and funds for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. “While children and families face childhood cancer every day, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is an important opportunity to shine a light on the challenges they endure and how they are counting on us to accelerate progress,” said Ike Anand...

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 comm...

St. Jude Patient Art Featured During FedEx St. Jude Championship Inspires Partners in Hope

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--When the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship tees off August 12-16 at TPC Southwind, art created by patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® will once again bring stories of hope, resilience and healing to one of golf’s biggest stages. The world’s top 70 PGA TOUR pros, along with fans and a global audience, will see St. Jude patient art throughout the week on caddie bibs during tournament play, TaylorMade® headcovers and PING golf bags. For children facin...
Back to Newsroom