Tri Delta members connect with St. Jude patient families during Tri Delta Celebration Week

Tri Delta's commitment to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has grown steadily since the partnership began in 1999. In 2014, Tri Delta made a $60 million commitment to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, the largest by any partner at the time, which funded Tri Delta Place, short-term patient housing on campus. Only a decade later, Tri Delta became the first Greek organization to raise $100 million for the research hospital.

Now, the women’s fraternity aims to raise a cumulative $185 million for St. Jude by 2038, the 150th anniversary of Tri Delta’s founding.

During the annual Tri Delta celebration in Memphis, Tennessee. Ike Anand, President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization of St. Jude, announced that that Tri Delta had raised another $25 million toward the goal. Balloons dropped from the ceiling as members cheered their success toward the lifesaving mission of St. Jude.

Areeza Kabani, a Tri Delta at the University of California, Irvine, who attended the celebration, shared that she had an existing connection to the research hospital. During high school, her friend received treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer, at St. Jude. “Just seeing how much St. Jude was able to provide for her, regardless of how far we live from Memphis … it was really inspiring,” the California resident said.   

Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live. Tri Delta’s support helps make that possible.

Areeza’s connection with the mission and her commitment to Tri Delta led her to join ALSAC as an intern. “It's always been very important for me to do work that matters,” she explained. St. Jude gives her and her Tri Delta sisters the opportunity to do so.

During Tri Delta Celebration Week, members attended Tri Delta Shellebration, a mermaid-themed party hosted for patient families. Jellyfish made of glittering balloons and streamers dangled from the ceiling, and giant shells filled to the brim with goodies sat atop circular tables. Each table featured activities ranging from DIY shakers to face painting. Two costumed ribbon twirlers welcomed families into the festive space. 

It was the first time that Tri Delta members had been able to meet with patient families since before the COVID-19 pandemic. For Meredith Davies, a Tri Delta alumna and staff member, the event brought back sweet memories.  

As a freshman in college, Meredith was drawn to Tri Delta’s values and philanthropic commitment to St. Jude. She had been thrilled to volunteer with the women’s fraternity and visit the research hospital for the first time. Thrilled, that is, until her roommate pointed out the difficult circumstances of the families she would see there. Their conversation led Meredith to rethink her approach.

“I was like, I need to reset mentally … kids will be sad, it’s going to be dark,” she said. “And I got there and it was the complete opposite.” 

Her chapter visited the Target House, where she helped families with a patient art project.

 “I don't think I've ever felt more alive than in that moment,” Meredith smiled. “They were just kids! Kids and their siblings and they were having fun, and they were so full of life and joy. And that’s what St. Jude is.” 

The Shellebration echoed that moment, creating a space where kids can be kids. 

As a little girl ran past, a pink butterfly painted on her cheeks, Areeza smiled. “Being here and seeing these kids getting their face painted and making little night lamps … it really means a lot to see that they don't have to worry about external factors and can just focus on being kids.”

Deborah Tolcha, a Tri Delta at the University of South Carolina, had worked on philanthropy initiatives for her chapter, but this was her first time witnessing the impact of her work. Seated at a table littered with vibrant beads, she chatted with a family creating bracelets. “Seeing the kids have so much fun brings back memories from my childhood. That feeling of joy is just consistent no matter where you are here. It’s a reminder of why we’re doing what we do,” she said. 

Tri Delta’s work for St. Jude includes signature fundraisers like Delta House of Pancakes, a breakfast buffet, and Sincerely Yours, a national letter-writing campaign, alongside other regional initiatives. The women’s fraternity, one of the largest partners of St. Jude, was named the official St. Jude Partner of Kindness in 2024.  

 “We give back through this mentality of being kind alike to all in our service to St. Jude,” Meredith said, “so being recognized as the official Partner of Kindness is the most fitting title for Tri Delta and what we believe.”