St. Jude supporters walking to ‘Give Thanks’ this holiday season

St. Jude supporters walking to ‘Give Thanks’ this holiday season

As PR Chair for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s 2011 Give thanks. Walk. in Tampa, I want to share information about an organization that I’m passionate about and a walk that will raise money to help bring happiness and healthiness to children living with cancer.

Residents of the Tampa Bay area will join St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital supporters in 80 communities across the country on Saturday, November 19, for the Give thanks. Walk., a family friendly event bringing teams and individuals together to support the children of St. Jude.

More than 500 participants are expected to join together at the USF Track & Field stadium for the noncompetitive 5K walk serving as the official kick-off event for the national St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign.

Last year, the second year of Tampa’s Give thanks. Walk., more than 22,000 walkers participated in 63 events nationwide, raising more than $2.4 million. In Tampa alone, more than 400 walkers participated and raised $65,000.

The walk is nationally sponsored by New York & Company, Brooks Brothers and AutoTrader.com. Local sponsors include USF, 99.5 WQYK, 92.5 Maxima, Q105, Play 98.7, 1010 Sports, ABC Action News, ClearChannel Digital Outdoor and American Medical Response. Local volunteers from Epsilon Sigma Alpha will also be onsite helping with the event and Lily the Clown will be sponsoring the kids’ play area.

Money raised from the walk will go toward treatment for each child, as St. Jude never requires families that are not covered by insurance to cover the cost of their child’s treatment.

Check-in for the St. Jude Give thanks. Walk. begins at 8am at the USF Track & Field stadium, and a Zumba warm-up begins at 8:45am.