Varsity Brands Announces $10 Million Fundraising Commitment, Names Patient Play Area at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Varsity Brands, the leading platform for team Sport and Spirit solutions through its divisions BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit, has announced a new $10 million, 5-year fundraising commitment to benefit the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: Finding cures. Saving children.^®

A May 9 ribbon cutting ceremony unveiled the newly named Varsity Brands Play Deck, a 19,985 square foot outdoor space located in The Domino’s Village, the newest patient housing facility at St. Jude. The space features a jungle gym, cheer cone shaped bongos, a hopscotch course, picnic chairs, a basketball half court area, outdoor grills and a LED movie screen. The Varsity Brands Play Deck is the first St. Jude space named for the company.

“The Varsity Brands Play Deck provides St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital patients and families a space to be active, make friends and share memories,” said Adam Blumenfeld, CEO of Varsity Brands. “This moment is possible because of the continued support of our employees and customers who have helped raise more than $14 million to ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food. We look forward to growing our partnership with St. Jude in the years to come.”

Varsity Brands became an official partner of St. Jude in 2011 when Memphis-based Varsity Spirit launched the “Team Up for St. Jude Spirited by Varsity” program. Today, more than 9,000 employees rally throughout the year to share the St. Jude mission with the next generation of philanthropists through youth led events such as letter writing campaigns at summer camps nationwide and donations at athletic events.

“This incredible $10 million commitment from our friends at Varsity Brands is possible because thousands of selfless supporters choose to come together for a common goal,” said Ike Anand, interim CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “We’re grateful to celebrate another five years of partnership with Varsity Brands. This commitment will help make it possible for St. Jude to keep accelerating progress and give more kids a chance to celebrate every moment.”

Varsity Brands fundraises during St. Jude Memphis Marathon^® Weekend, the St. Jude Walk, and through employee giving campaigns as part of their commitment to “elevating the student experience” and engaging the next generation of philanthropists. Bill Seely, CEO of Varsity Spirit, served as the inaugural Corporate Event Chair for St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend in 2024, where he rallied other business leaders to support the annual event and largest single day fundraiser for St. Jude.

Donate to St. Jude on behalf of Varsity Brands at StJude.org/Varsity.

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.