Not All Heroes Wear Capes 

As the old saying goes: not all heroes wear capes. For the St. Jude Hero program, that certainly rings true. Every year St. Jude hosts one of the most famous marathon races in the heart of Memphis to raise funds for the esteemed children’s cancer research hospital. In true Memphis spirit, thousands of runners train and show up every year to support the cause. While every runner pays an entry fee that contributes to the costs of the race, many sign up as a St. Jude Hero. These participants commit to not only running one of the many races offered, but they also commit to fundraising at least an additional $250 for the hospital.

Impact Above and Beyond the Numbers

Participating as a St. Jude Hero holds significant practical as well as symbolic value for the community. Last year St. Jude raised more than $12 million from the marathon weekend with over 25,000 runners. This is one of the most profitable single-event fundraisers for this prominent charity, and the proceeds go to a plethora of initiatives. As one of the most renowned cancer research hospitals in the world, St. Jude researchers work tirelessly to develop new treatments for childhood cancer, always pressing on to finding a cure. Their efforts have not been in vain. 

Over the past fifty years, since the hospital’s inception in 1962, the survival rate has increased by 60% for childhood cancer. St. Jude shares all of its medical breakthroughs with the health community so that all will profit from its initiatives. Furthermore, the funds raised for the hospital also directly benefit the families who are receiving treatment. St. Jude never sends a patient home with a bill, while also covering travel and housing expenses for families not from the area. Cancer is hard enough without having to account for the financial burden. Thus, every one of the St. Jude Heroes contributes to lightening the load just a little bit for each of the families who are facing an unimaginable battle.

Running on Behalf of Those Who Can’t

While the concrete, financial impact of these fundraising runners is certainly massive, we should also never underestimate the power of role models through their symbolic acts of service. The St. Jude Heroes run on behalf of those who can’t. And they run in hopes that their efforts will contribute to St. Jude patients being able to run the race on their own one day. What a powerful message this communicates to the community! Although children may look to Marvel or DC for an ideal hero to imitate, there are role models in their very neighborhoods who can show them what normal, daily acts of self-sacrifice and other-centeredness can look like. Real life people can make a difference in their communities through authentic and seemingly small acts of service. These are the heroes we ultimately hope that our children will learn from. 

You can also contribute to the noble mission of eradicating childhood cancer and providing the best care possible for St. Jude families by participating as a runner or donating to the Marathon Weekend. Click Here to learn more about how to support the work of St. Jude.

Thank you, St. Jude Heroes, for being such amazing role models for our community!