Todd Schutte doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty for a good cause. For that matter, he has no problem getting his face, arms, torso and legs dirty as well.
As a St. Jude Warrior Dash participant, he eagerly runs, jumps and crawls through the mud, and it’s all to raise money and support the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Schutte participated in his first Warrior Dash in 2012 with his sons, and has since participated in events in his hometown of Denver and in North Carolina. He also introduced Warrior Dash as a workplace team-building event for his employer, Bona, a company that makes hardwood floor products, which has chosen St. Jude as its three-year charity.
Because of supporters like you, 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.
The 51-year-old has been a St. Jude donor for 20 years and last September he was the biggest fundraiser in Colorado for Warrior Dash, raising $2,600 on his own. He did so through posts on Facebook and direct emails, personalizing them with photos from the previous year’s competition. His fundraising efforts were recognized with a trip to Memphis to visit St. Jude.
“It gave me such a deeper understanding and a much better feel for what the program is all about,” he said of his visit. "I was really struck by how kid-centric everything is designed to be, from the registration desks to Kay Kafe and the meaning behind everyone eating together because everyone’s on the same team. And a real key for me was that St. Jude shares their research, because they believe they can get to cures faster by sharing what they find with everybody. I thought that was really awesome.”
Schutte was also impressed with the story of St. Jude founder Danny Thomas, who, as a young and struggling entertainer, prayed to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of lost causes, by asking "show me my way in life and I will build you a shrine." Founding St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was how Thomas made good on that promise, after becoming a successful entertainer. It’s the backstory to the mission that Schutte shares with future Warrior Dash participants at Bona, which last year raised just over $12,000 for St. Jude.
Schutte is ready to fight dirty against childhood cancer again this September when his Warrior Dash goal is to double the amount he raised last year for St. Jude.
You, too, can help give hope to kids who are fighting life-threatening illnesses.
Read more inspiring stories
-
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
To mark 2018 National Hispanic Heritage Month, St. Jude is honoring some our dedicated Hispanic employees with St. Jude Global. Learn more about their work.
-
Working together: Mother and daughter nurses bond at St. Jude
In observance of Mother’s Day May 13 and National Nurses Week May 6–12, St. Jude nurses Margie and Kallen Kjellin share their story.
-
Administrative professionals provide dedicated support to St. Jude departments
The more than 150 administrative professionals at St. Jude offer unparalleled support to keep their departments running smoothly. Three longtime admins share their stories.
-
MRI technologist is inspired throughout career at St. Jude
With a strong support system of women in her life, Mary Jo Freeman has advanced from a hopeful student to a seasoned MRI specialist. Find out about her journey at St. Jude.
-
Dr. Sheila Moore on breaking barriers and giving back
Sheila Moore, MD, began her medical career at a time when men dominated the field. More than five decades later, she reflects on her barrier-breaking career as a pediatric hematologist-oncologist in the South.
-
Moving science forward
Inspired by female scientists, Shondra Miller, PhD, is focused on pushing science’s boundaries.
-
Losing my best friend to cancer led me to a career in science
Research Tech Hailey Skonhovd honors her childhood friend’s memory by pursuing a scientific career.
-
Do what you put your mind to
Tangie Thomas, VP of Clinical Operations, talks about persistence and motivation in her career.
-
Beyond the margins
James' brother, Eddie, helped care for him while he was receiving treatment at St. Jude. Today, Eddie's still involved through International Paper's commitment to the hospital.
-
The story behind the picture
Before the iconic image of a patient and St. Jude founder Danny Thomas made its way into a commercial, it sat in the treasured home of that patient's sister.
-
Giving back to say thanks
The beginnings of St. Jude are more than just a compelling story for one family of Dream Home builders — it's a mirror of their own lives.
-
Strong reason to run
A teen wanted to make running a marathon meaningful and memorable while challenging himself. So he picked a charity he knew would motivate him — St. Jude.
-
Little Minden leads the way
For decades, the residents of a small town in Louisiana have made it their life's work to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude.
-
Drumming around the clock
The students from Bel Air High School streamed a 24-hour-straight performance to help give families the gift of more time.
-
St. Jude Spirit of the Dream celebrates Dr. King’s legacy
St. Jude Spirit of the Dream celebrated Black History Month, and commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike that brought Dr. King to Memphis.
