St. Jude Leadership Society
Join a remarkable group of students in learning how to make meaningful connections with peers, mentors and business leaders, all while supporting St. Jude patients and families.
Inspired by the vision of our founder Danny Thomas and the ALSAC preamble*
Since 2019, St. Jude Leadership Society (SJLS) has been a distinguished membership of high-performing high school and young collegiates who share a passion for leadership, service and community. During a six-month period, members will have an opportunity to exercise their leadership skills while raising funds and awareness for the kids of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
SJLS gives members an opportunity to give back through service and leadership by promoting and supporting the mission of St. Jude: Finding cures. Saving children.®
*ALSAC was founded by St. Jude founder Danny Thomas as the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude. Read about the founding of ALSAC in the ALSAC Preamble >
There are three unique elements within the SJLS experience:
Leadership development
Members participate in a series of leadership development sessions that engage a variety of successful community and corporate leaders. All session experiences are inspired by St. Jude Founder Danny Thomas and focus on universal leadership traits like good citizenship, gratitude, grit, integrity, empathy and courage.
Shared experience
Throughout the SJLS journey, members will have an opportunity to learn from mentors, peers and ALSAC/St. Jude executives and partners, alike. Through their shared experience, members will gain valuable insight to a variety of career paths, improve communication and exercise skills that will set them apart.
Transformational fundraising
All members will receive the tools, training and resources they need to successfully leverage their passion, skills and networks to build and execute a fundraising strategy to benefit the children and families at St. Jude. Every dollar raised ensures that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.
SJLS Next Gen Experience 2024
Since the program launched in 2017, St. Jude Leadership Society has motivated high school students who share strong leadership skills and a passion for Service. Today, more than 1,000 young members have collectively raised over $2 million and counting.
Read stories featuring students across the country who are using their creativity, talent and passion for helping others to support the St. Jude mission.
The Influencer
Tennessee teen raises $100,000 for St. Jude, creates community portal for doing good. Julia Gilmore may not have written the book on how to be a young fundraiser for St. Jude, but she wrote the website.
The Pitchmen
Supporting St. Jude makes teenage brothers feel “like superheroes”. Amir and Damian Carrizosa are believers in the mission of St. Jude. They want to make a believer of you, too.
SJLS Leadership Principles
SJLS is structured around seven principles. Program participants have exhibited excellence in these areas, and will learn how to further steward servant leadership during their tenure as an SJLS member. Read the stories below about St. Jude patients, families and volunteers who have modeled SJLS leadership principles.
St. Jude patient Sydney
St. Jude patient Sydney, was put on the sidelines by Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). After two-and-a-half years of treatment, he's working to "get back to normal."
St. Jude patient James, and his parents
St. Jude patient James, is receiving cancer treatment at St. Jude for the second time. James' family has supported St. Jude for four generations.
St. Jude patient Misheel
St. Jude patient Misheel, is a brave 11-year-old battling cancer at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. With her balloon creations, she spreads happiness among her peers, crafting whimsical animals, flowers, and the occasional Ninja Turtle.
@AllTimeBrianna — She’s inspired by science, gene therapy, and helping patients with sickle cell disease.
St. Jude patient Kiki with her service dog Asher
St. Jude patient Kiki, was diagnosed with a brain stem tumor at age ten. Her long journey has led her to where she is now, managing her health and wellbeing with the help of her family, service dog and St. Jude.
St. Jude patient Jordyn and her mom, Chastity
St. Jude mom Chastity, witnessed her daughter's transformation from leukemia patient to college track star and is thankful to St. Jude.
St. Jude patient Gabby
St. Jude patient Gabby, a living example of perseverance, overcame cancer three times and continues to seize every opportunity.
Help us support the lifesaving work of St. Jude
The fundraising efforts of SJLS leads help ensure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
St. Jude patient Olivia
Members who achieve or exceed their St. Jude Leadership Society development goals will be invited to experience St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee.
You may also be interested in:
-
Game Day
Get the whole school involved when you host a game day event and fundraise for the kids of St. Jude.
-
How to start a fundraiser
Learn how to start a fundraiser to support the mission of St. Jude and pediatric cancer patients worldwide.
-
No More Cancer Rally
Gather your friends for an exciting fundraising party to help St. Jude continue to find cures for childhood cancer.