University of Memphis, ALSAC to Open Donor Contact Center for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

April 11, 2016- The University of Memphis and ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, have formed a new partnership designed to benefit the Memphis community that includes a donor contact center in the Billy Mac Jones Building at 633 Normal St.

The center will be staffed by UofM student interns who will call potential and current donors of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as part of ALSAC's donor engagement program.

"We are excited about the partnership with the University of Memphis as it presents a great opportunity to engage in meaningful community collaboration with incredible young people," said Richard Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "Ultimately, we hope this arrangement provides valuable professional and philanthropic experience for University students, and they will consider long-term career opportunities for employment at ALSAC or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital after graduation and continue to find ways to give back."

UofM President M. David Rudd said, "The donor contact center is a great example of what can happen when the UofM partners with world leaders like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to create new internships for our students that offer opportunities to develop critical skills for future success, and make our world better. We couldn't be more proud than to work with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital." 

Since 1999, the UofM has supported St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through the Up 'til Dawn collegiate fundraising program. Through a variety of fundraising activities, its St. Jude Up 'til Dawn volunteers raised a record $283,000 through the program this year – more than any student organization in ALSAC's history.

Some 20 to 30 student internships are expected to be created as a result of this partnership.

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. 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 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and we won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely 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. 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. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook (facebook.com/stjude) and following us on Twitter (@stjude).

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Gabrielle Maxey
901.678.2135
gmaxey@memphis.edu