Kind Alike to All BY CONTENT SPECIALIST LINDSAY MACKEY, AUBURN On June 28-30, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital hosted the 2019 St. Jude - Tri Delta Celebration in Memphis, Tennessee. This year marked a special 20-year milestone of our partnership with St. Jude. For decades leading up to 1999, Tri Deltas across North America had been tirelessly committed to ending childhood cancer, beginning with our alumnae in Southern California in 1947.
At Convention 2014, Tri Delta committed to its largest goal yet, raising $60 million in 10 years – the single largest pledge to the hospital by a St. Jude partner. In honor of this commitment, St. Jude named its on-campus, short-term housing facility Tri Delta Place. In 2018, we were thrilled to announce that we were halfway to our goal. We had already raised $30.3 million of our $60 million goal in just three and a half years. Over our 20-year partnership, Tri Deltas have raised $68 million for St. Jude's life-saving mission as they lead the charge in changing the way the world treats and defeats childhood cancer.
Then, Tri Delta began a conversation with St. Jude that led to one of our first goals of raising funds and awareness for the patients and families at the hospital. In 2002, one of our earliest goals was to raise $1 million in four years to endow the hospital’s teen room. In true Tri Delta fashion, we met that goal a year ahead of schedule. Then, in 2006, we dreamed bigger – $10 million in 10 years – to name the Bone Marrow Transplant Patient Care Floor in the Chili’s Care Center. Our collegiate and alumnae members were passionate about accomplishing this goal, completing this commitment in just four years. Following the completion of “10 in 10” we agreed to an even more ambitious commitment – 15 in 5. We set out to raise $15 million in five years to name the Specialty Clinic. By 2013, Tri Deltas were once again celebrating reaching our goal and doing it early as we raised $15 million in three and a half years. Once again ahead of schedule!
To kick off the 2019 St. Jude - Tri Delta Celebration, Fraternity President Kimberlee Di Fede Sullivan, Pepperdine, welcomed Tri Delta members to Memphis and spoke on the history of our partnership and how each of our members are making a difference. “We come from a history of brave, bold and kind women whose dedication to ending childhood cancer continues to inspire us today,” said Kimberlee. “Thank you for the work you have done, the efforts you will put in during this weekend and for the passion you will take back to your chapters and sisters to carry on this partnership for the next 20 years and beyond.” Kimberlee then welcomed Rick Shadyac, President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude, to share a few words.
Tri Delta successfully completes its $10 million commitment in just four years – and commits to raising $15 million in 5 years to name the Specialty Clinic.
1999
2005 Tri Delta raises $1 million to endow the hospital’s teen room.
2006
2010
Tri Delta celebrates another successful fundraising accomplishment, raising $15 million in 3.5 years.
2013
Tri Delta commits to raising $10 million in 10 years to name the Bone Marrow Transplant Patient Care Floor.
Tri Delta establishes national partnership with St. Jude. Illustrations: Matt Johnstone/Friend & Johnson
