St. Jude raised more than $7 million and reached millions of people across the U.S. and around the globe in just three weeks with a T-shirt campaign aimed at creating a giving movement.
To date, the campaign hashtag #ThisShirtSavesLives has reached more than 140 million people and generated more than 11,000 posts and comments — and will continue through 2018.
Over 100 radio stations across the country and more than 80 of country music's most celebrated stars have lent their voices to the THIS SHIRT SAVES LIVES campaign to encourage support for St. Jude. Artists like Brett Eldredge, Darius Rucker, Jake Owen, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett and more are supporting the campaign by wearing THIS SHIRT on social media.
The T-shirt is available exclusively to those who become "Partners In Hope," donors who give $20 per month to the hospital's lifesaving work. So far, nearly 25,000 people have pledged monthly support for St. Jude to receive a T-shirt with "This Shirt Saves Lives" emblazoned on the front.
"The unwavering generosity of donors through campaigns like #ThisShirtSavesLives enables St. Jude doctors and scientists to embark upon visionary, one-of-a-kind efforts that continue the groundbreaking research and treatment of childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases," said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "Every dollar donated also helps to ensure that 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."
Along with artists, the campaign is also being supported by the spouses of several country stars who recently toured the hospital, including Thomas Rhett's wife Lauren Akins; Phillip Sweet's (Little Big Town) wife Rebecca; Preston Brust's (LOCASH) wife Kristen; Michael Hobby's (A Thousand Horses) wife Caroline; Dan Smyer's (Dan + Shay) wife Abby; Charles Kelley's (Lady Antebellum) wife Cassie; Dierks Bentley's wife Cassidy; Luke Bryan's wife Caroline; David Nail's wife Catherine; and Chris Lucas' (LOCASH) wife Kaitlyn. View the video of the tour here.
Other radio formats and music genres will be participating in this dynamic campaign in the New Year. To join the THIS SHIRT SAVES LIVES movement, and to become a St. Jude Partner in Hope and receive a THIS SHIRT SAVES LIVES T-Shirt, visit: www.thisshirtsaveslives.org.
About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since the hospital opened in 1962. St. Jude won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.