Danny Thomas Celebrity-Am, stars drive home importance of supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The annual Danny Thomas Celebrity-Am, held on Aug. 15 during FedEx St. Jude Championship week, welcomed St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^® patients and their families who cheered on nearly 30 athletes, entertainers and influencers competing in a friendly round of golf to drive support for the lifesaving mission of St. Jude: Finding cures. Saving children.^®

Celebrity teams finishing at the top of the leaderboard included actor Kevin Rahm’s team in first place followed by teams led by ESPN host Victoria Arlen and former NBA athlete and Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway in second and third place respectively.

"The support of the celebrities participating in the Danny Thomas Celebrity-Am helps advance the incredible research and treatment happening every day at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “By taking the time to bring awareness to the lifesaving mission of St. Jude, these celebrities are showing what it means to live charitably, where small acts of kindness make a world of difference for kids in the United States and around the globe who are diagnosed with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”

Celebrity participants included actors Bradford Anderson and David Arquette; former LPGA player Alexis Belton; broadcaster Joe Birch; singer/songwriter Jillian Cardarelli; NBA athlete and analyst Vince Carter; music director Ray Chew; motocross & supercross World Champion Ryan Dungey; musician Hannah Ellis; television personalities Joey Graziadei and Kelsey Anderson; influencer Dustin Hadley; former NBA player and Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins; athlete Billy J; actor Richard Karn; NBA athlete Luke Kennard; former NBA player and broadcaster Brevin Knight; television host & realtor Rico León; Prince Lorenzo di Medici; DOTEXE co-founder Steve Nabi; amateur golfer & content creator Eliezer Paul-Gindiri, aka “Snappy Gilmore;” NBA broadcaster Pete Pranica; NFL coach & athlete Ron Rivera; NFL athlete Mark Rypien; actor/comedian Katt Williams; influencers Lunden & Olivia Stallings and professional skateboarder Zion Wright.

This week, the importance of giving back reaches a global stage. St. Jude patient art will appear on caddie bibs and throughout the FedEx St. Jude Championship course for fans to see the impact made by support from FedEx, PGA TOUR and many PGA TOUR players. The Memphis PGA TOUR stop has raised more than $74 million for St. Jude families since 1970 when St. Jude became the charitable beneficiary.

Fans can visit StJude.org/BirdiesAuction to bid on exclusive autographed auction now through August 20.

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.