Because of supporters like you ...
St. Jude has helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate in the U.S. from 20% in 1962 to more than 80% today.
St. Jude can give our doctors and researchers the tools and technology they need to make the next groundbreaking discovery.
St. Jude continues to research survivorship to learn and share insights to improve care for all patients.
St. Jude conducts clinical trials and publishes research to turn laboratory discoveries into lifesaving treatments.
St. Jude leads more clinical trials for pediatric cancer than any other hospital in the United States.
St. Jude Run, Ride and Drive
St. Jude Runs
August 1, 2026
St. Jude Runs is an annual charity event that raises funds for the mission of St. Jude. You can run for more than a time, a record or a medal – you can run for hope. Since its 1982 inception, St. Jude Runs has raised more than $94 million to bring us one step closer to our own finish line: one that ensures that no child should die in the dawn of life.
St. Jude Rides
September 10 – 11, 2026
St. Jude Rides is an annual charity event that raises funds for the mission of St. Jude. In 2007, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts took to the road, traveling 465 miles from Peoria, Illinois to Memphis, Tennessee to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Since this inception, the St. Jude Rides has taken to the road each fall and raised over $13.2 million for the kids of St. Jude.
St. Jude Corvette Drive
May 14-15, 2026
The St. Jude Corvette Drive was founded in 2012 and has raised more than $3.2 million to date. Every year, Corvette drivers and St. Jude supporters depart from Peoria, St. Louis, Louisville and Nashville for the trip to Memphis, where they stay the first night in Dyersburg, Tenn. and then drive through the St. Jude campus the following day.
St. Jude cares for some of the world’s sickest children regardless of their race, ethnicity, beliefs, or ability to pay. Our patients receive the customized care they need to treat childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases, no matter what barriers they may face.
St. Jude patient Cailee
St. Jude stories from Central Illinois, Southern Illinois and Iowa
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Illinois girl starts St. Jude fundraiser to help best friend through cancer
Addy and CJ bring their community together for a serious purpose — but don’t take them too seriously.
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Every minute counts: How one CPA shares the St. Jude story with supporters
James Ingold watched a family go from panic to hope in 60 seconds. Now, he asks others to fund St. Jude for just a minute.
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Fueled by a family legacy of giving, Jim Bourazak of Peoria rides on for St. Jude
He knows how much St. Jude helps families because it helped his.
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Supporters of St. Jude Memphis to Peoria Run have raised more than $25 million
For 31 years, Kevin Pautler has run this relay in memory of his son, Dusty, and to fight the cancer that took him away.
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Amy Jones’ journey to the extraordinary ordinary
When her dream of a normal life was derailed, St. Jude was there to save her — twice. Now this grateful leukemia survivor has made her favorite cause her career
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Illinois child survives rare cancer at St. Jude, returns to build garden where hope grows
Years after St. Jude saved his life, Jeremiah Godby returned to campus and saw the need for an outdoor space for spiritual healing. Then he helped make it happen.
St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway
The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway is your ticket to saving kids’ lives and the chance to win the home of your dreams. Support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to help cure childhood cancer. This year’s home is in the Waterstone subdivision in Edwards, IL. Tickets go on sale in January, and the giveaway is April 22, 2026. Get your ticket today by visiting dreamhome.org.
St. Jude Feed and Auction
Join us as we celebrate the 10th Annual St. Jude Feed & Auction hosted by the Sit N Bull in Hudson, IL on April 11, 2026.
For $25 you will receive an all-you-can eat meal courtesy of Annie’s Eats, featuring smoked pulled pork and sides. The day will include music, live and silent auctions and a raffle.
St. Jude Evening with the Stars
For years, Central Illinois has gathered together to celebrate and raise funds at the annual St. Jude Evening with the Stars Gala. We hope you’ll join us for this inspiring event on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino in East Peoria. With your support, this gala has grown into a major fundraising event supporting the life-saving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
St. Jude Telethon
For 49 years, the St. Jude Telethon has served as the culminating event for Central & Southern Illinois’ year-round fundraising campaigns. The Telethon features the finish line for the St. Jude Runs program, as well as check presentations from year-round fundraising events. We are eager to welcome VIPs and Sponsors to the Civic Center this year as they faithfully support the mission of St. Jude: Finding cures. Saving children.®
St. Jude Walk®
Join us on September 19, 2026 in Bloomington-Normal for our annual St. Jude Walk! Featuring a 1 Mile Walk, 5K, 10K and Half Marathon, the St. Jude Walk is an inspiring, family-friendly event that unites people across the nation behind the life-saving mission of St. Jude.
St. Jude Hero
Become a St. Jude Hero and fundraise for the children and families at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital while you train for the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and more.
Board of Directors
St. Jude Midwest Leadership Board
Chairman of the Board: Rich Unes
Vice Chairman of the Board: Michael D. McCoy
President: John Kocher
Past President: Steve Gardner
Vice President: Jeff Ward
Secretary: Liz Wilson
Treasurer: John McKinty
Board Members
Lupe Alcala • Andrew Black • Kevin Callis • Tim Campbell • Scott Elger • James Fisher • George Ghareeb • James Ingold • Michael Joseph • Scott Lewis • Jodi Lindsay • Michael Maloof • Scott Martin • Julie May • Travis Mohlenbrink • Kevin Pautler • Ryan Pierson • Dr. Thomas Rashid • Rick Semonis • Eric Shane • Annette Slyman • Libby Swearingen • Spencer Swearingen • Emily Weeks • Ryan Whitehouse
National ALSAC/St. Jude Board Members
Michael D. McCoy • Rich Unes
ALSAC Leadership Board
Kevin Pautler • Rick Semonis
Contact us directly to get involved and find ways to connect. You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram to stay up-to-date about the exciting events in Central & Southern Illinois and Iowa.
Peoria, Illinois
4722 N. Sheridan Rd.
Peoria, IL 61614
Phone: (309) 566-3500
St. Jude supporters from Central Illinois finish their St. Jude Runs experience on the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® campus in Memphis.
You can support the children of St. Jude in the way that best suits your financial and personal goals.
IRAs, donor-advised funds, stocks, gift annuities, trusts and more — choose the planned giving option that is right for you, and your generosity will help children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Email Rodrigo Leanos or visit the link below for more planned giving options.
Give with purpose by creating opportunities for your organization's team members to donate to St. Jude through their work.
Set up your workplace giving program by establishing employee giving, matching gifts, workplace fundraisers, or giving through federal or state campaigns.
Connect with Jill Libert or click the button below to learn more about your workplace giving options.
Looking for ways to support St. Jude in Chicago and across Northern Illinois? Click below.
Meet St. Jude patients
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Meet Janelle
When Janelle was just over a year old, her family noticed that she began to regress in her development. Medical tests revealed that Janelle had cancer.
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Meet Kamryn
At 2 years old, Kamryn's bloodwork indicated he had a form of blood cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Doctors referred him to St. Jude where he would undergo more than 2 years of chemotherapy while growing to love activities like Music Therapy.
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Meet patient Natalie
Natalie seemed like a healthy toddler. But one day, she stopped using her left arm. She had Stage IV neuroblastoma and was referred to St. Jude for treatment.
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Meet Brayden
Brayden received chemotherapy as well as proton therapy for medulloblastoma at the first proton therapy center in the world dedicated solely to children.
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Meet Ashtyn
When Ashtyn’s family learned she had a type of cancerous brain tumor called a medulloblastoma, they turned to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.