For years, Central Illinois has gathered to celebrate and raise funds at the annual St. Jude Evening with the Stars Gala. With your support, this gala has grown into a major fundraising event supporting the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: Finding cures. Saving children.®
We hope you’ll join us for this inspiring event on Friday, April 16, 2027, at the Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino in East Peoria, as your support helps ensure St. Jude patients can continue to receive the customized care they need to treat childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases, no matter what barriers they may face.
Matching gifts are an easy way to increase your donation to St. Jude — at no additional cost to you! Many employers support your altruistic efforts by offering matching gift programs to your favorite charities. Check if your employer will match your gift to St. Jude or contact us at matchinggifts@stjude.org.
For information on sponsorship or volunteer opportunities at this year's event, please contact Gina Seghetti at Gina.Seghetti@alsac.stjude.org.
Date and Time
Friday, April 16, 2027
5-11 p.m.
Attire: Black-Tie Optional
Sponsorships
To reserve your sponsorship, please contact Gina Seghetti at Gina.Seghetti@alsac.stjude.org.
St. Jude patient Liliana and her family
Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the U.S. childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80%. Yet, around the world, about 1 in 5 will survive. That’s why we’re helping make lifesaving treatments available to more children in more places — because where they live shouldn’t determine if they live.
St. Jude patient Liliana and her family
Highlights from the 2026 St. Jude Evening with the Stars
Become a sponsor
By partnering with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and sponsoring this event, your company can align with a nationally recognized mission and brand while inspiring pride in your employees, consumers, vendors and leaders.
Thanks to generous donors like you, St. Jude can give our doctors and researchers the tools and technology they need to make the next groundbreaking discovery. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude pay for treatment, travel, housing, or food.
For more information on sponsorship packages for St. Jude Evening With The Stars, please connect with Gina Seghetti at gina.seghetti@alsac.stjude.org.
All sponsorships are subject to review and approval by ALSAC in accordance with organizational policies and guidelines.
Thank you to our event committee
Event Chairs:
Steve Gardner • Jodi Lindsay • Liz Wilson
Justin & Julie May
Event Committee:
Ashley Bradshaw • Amanda Campbell • Curt Curtis • Melissa Fox • Kristy Howell • Meghan Jackson • Tracy Korger • Jim Lindsay • Mike McCoy • Ryan & Kari McCracken • Sherry Semonis • Megan Wineland
Award Honorees
Juanita & Dan Deeb Volunteer Service Award
Corporate Service Award
* Honorees to be announced early 2027
St. Jude stories from Central Illinois
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Get involved locally
Find additional events, volunteer opportunities and more ways to connect with St. Jude supporters in Peoria, Bloomington-Normal and across Central and Southern Illinois.
Other ways you can get involved:
