After Puerto Rico was devastated by a pair of hurricanes last September – including Maria, the worst natural disaster in the island’s history – it seemed unlikely the 2018 St. Jude Fore the Kids golf tournament would happen as scheduled.
After all, six months after the hurricanes, there were still areas in Puerto Rico without power.
But thanks to volunteer organizers’ dedication to the event and to the kids of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the tournament was played as scheduled on June 1 – and raised $183,000, beating the goal by more than $50,000.
Organizers of the St. Jude Fore the Kids Golf Tournament from Puerto Rico
The tournament has been a key part of St. Jude fundraising efforts in Puerto Rico, with more than $1 million raised for the hospital over seven years.
Roldán and other tournament organizers, in a February trip to Memphis, Tenn. (where St. Jude is located), stressed the importance of the event and the need for fundraising continuity in making the case for the tournament to stay on schedule.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Golf Tournament organizers with ALSAC President and CEO, Richard C. Shadyac, Jr.
Officials of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude, agreed — and ultimately named tournament organizers the St. Jude “Volunteer Group of the Year.”
“These folks told us, ‘Childhood cancer doesn’t stop because of hurricanes. Neither will we,’” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC.
Tournament organizers, despite the challenges created by the hurricanes, successfully kept sponsors on board, dealt with suppliers and found a new location for the post-tournament ceremony, since the regular site was still damaged.
“We do this for the kids and the families, for the awareness,” said José Del Valle-Vazquéz, another tournament organizer. “We want to show that St. Jude is available for everybody in Puerto Rico.
Help our families focus on their sick child, not medical bills.
When you donate monthly, your gift means families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
Read more inspiring stories
-
Celebrating Black History Month
We reflect on our heroes: doctors, patients and supporters who have been a part of our lifesaving mission.
-
Plan in Progress: St. Jude celebrates first year of telehealth services in Tupelo
St. Jude is celebrating a successful first year of providing telehealth services for children with chronic hematological diseases in North Mississippi. Read the story.
-
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
To mark National Hispanic Heritage Month, St. Jude is honoring some of our dedicated Hispanic employees. Learn more about their work.
-
A St. Jude volunteer “meet cute” leads to engagement
Jordan Watson and Kelly Quiroz met at St. Jude while volunteering and recently got engaged to marry.
-
Doggone cute: St. Jude is paw-leased to welcome employees Snuggle and CC
Read about Snuggle and CC, the two newest facility dogs who are enhancing the patient experience at St. Jude.
-
St. Jude School Program celebrates annual high school commencement
See how St. Jude is honoring 15 students as part of its annual high school commencement. The students completed high school this year while undergoing treatment and managing the ongoing pandemic. Each graduate received a unique St. Jude class ring, hats tassels and other gifts.
-
Meet Rosalie: Facility dog to provide employee support
Learn how Rosalie, a golden retriever facility dog, will help support employee resilience. St. Jude has two other facility dogs who support patient care.
-
How does employee vaccination help protect St. Jude patients?
St. Jude patients are among the most vulnerable when it comes to COVID-19. We must do all we can to protect them—and that means that every single employee must be vaccinated. Diego Hijano, MD, explains why in this Q&A.
-
Father’s Day: St. Jude employees share stories of inspiration
To commemorate Father's Day, read four stories of four St. Jude employees who have the unique experience of calling their fathers colleagues.
-
Former St. Jude CEO and Director Donald Pinkel, MD, revolutionized pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment
Read about St. Jude's first director, Donald Pinkel, MD, who revolutionized pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment. Dr. Pinkel died on March 9, 2022.
-
COVID-19 vaccines safe for those worried about fertility, pregnancy and breastfeeding
COVID-19 vaccines are safe for those worried about fertility, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Find out more.
-
Being A Father is Everything for St. Jude Patient Dad Chris
When Chris' son Calvin got a devastating diagnosis, it was the lifesaving mission of St. Jude that helped ensure his family remained intact.
-
Physicist finds meaning in numbers to enhance proton therapy treatment
Find out how medical physicists work with clinicians to ensure the effective delivery of proton therapy treatment.
-
St. Jude kindergarten graduation celebrates aspiring teachers, ballerinas…ninjas
Students in the St. Jude School Program hit a milestone by celebrating their Kindergarten graduation.
-
‘A success on all fronts’
Read how St. Jude volunteers opened the door to health care career possibilities for local eighth graders during an expo at Agricenter International.