Jerry Chavez takes on the world’s toughest endurance challenges to support St. Jude

Jerry Chavez felt a pull he couldn’t ignore. Approaching his 40th birthday in 2018, he wanted to push himself physically, far beyond anything he had ever attempted.

 What he didn’t know was that his determination would take him from his home in Los Angeles to some of the world’s most iconic cities: New York, Chicago, Boston, Berlin, London and Tokyo.

 But before flights were booked and sneakers laced, Jerry knew why he wanted this challenge: his daughters.

 “I thought of my daughters, who were 15 and 11 at the time. I wanted to show them that when you set your heart on a big dream and work for it, you can make it happen,” he said.

 When Jerry learned about the Abbott World Marathon Majors, six of the most prestigious marathons in the world, he knew he had found the perfect opportunity. Though he had never run a marathon before, he saw a way to test himself while becoming a role model for his daughters.

 He committed to running each race as a St. Jude Hero, joining a community of people determined not just to run, but also to fund critical cancer research and support children facing cancer. He set a fundraising goal of $100,000.

 His first marathon was in New York, arriving with a sprained ankle from weeks of training. The injury threatened his progress, but Jerry refused to let it stop him.

 “It was incredible to meet people from all over, each with a heart ready to support St. Jude,” he said. “The most important part for me was the sense of community and camaraderie I felt during that first race.”

 That feeling, along with moving encounters with patients and families, carried him through each city. At the Boston Marathon, he met several St. Jude patients and their families.

 “Hearing their stories and seeing their gratitude for donors was deeply moving,” he said. “It reinforced that this journey wasn’t just about finishing races — it was about being part of something far bigger than myself.”

 Race by race, city by city, Jerry completed all six marathons. Over seven years, he achieved a goal that once felt unreachable.

 Crossing each finish line was a triumph, but the most meaningful moments happened at home. He showed his daughters that life isn’t just about personal achievement or success, “there is real power in helping others.”

 Inspired by his example, his younger daughter joined the St. Jude Leadership Society, a program for high school students to develop leadership skills while supporting St. Jude, and his older daughter ran the Los Angeles Marathon alongside him.

 “It’s incredibly emotional,” Jerry said. “I wanted them to see me chase that big goal and witness the power of giving.”

  After conquering all six marathons, Jerry set his sights even higher: the Seven Summits, climbing the tallest peak on each continent, with a new goal of raising $1 million for St. Jude. In 2024, he summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and pIans to complete the remaining climbs within the next five years before turning 50.

 “Every time I sign up for a new challenge, I step out of my comfort zone,” he said. “But knowing it’s for St. Jude, knowing it can save a child’s life, keeps me going.”

 When asked what advice he would give someone wanting to support St. Jude, he doesn’t hesitate:

 “Take a leap of faith. The impact is bigger than you can imagine.”