MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Kmart has
reached an extraordinary milestone – raising more than $100 million for St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital®. This amount is more than any other corporate
partner in the history of St. Jude.
"St. Jude is deeply appreciative of our incredibly giving
friends at Kmart and their kindhearted shoppers and associates for
reaching this unprecedented fundraising milestone – raising more
than $100 million for the patients
and families of St. Jude, more than any other St. Jude partner,"
said Richard Shadyac Jr., President
and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "The generosity of the Kmart
team and their shoppers is deeply humbling. We cannot thank them
enough for the joy they have brought to our patients and families
and their commitment to survivorship and quality of life for
children fighting cancer and other life-threatening diseases."
To celebrate, Kmart unveiled its new Virtual Experience
Recreational Vehicle (V.E.R.V.) – a virtual reality bus designed by
West Coast Customs – at St. Jude on Monday,
Dec. 12. Patients enjoyed thrilling games and virtual
experiences like climbing to the top of Mt. Everest. In addition to
the V.E.R.V. launch, festivities included a surprise visit by
GRAMMY® award winning singer-songwriter, producer, and
actor, NE-YO. St. Jude patients also enjoyed activities such as
designing custom air-brushed bandanas, photo booth fun, gift bags
full of treats and more.
"We are amazed by the overwhelming support from our Kmart
shoppers and associates for their generous giving to St. Jude,"
said Kelly Cook, chief marketing
officer at Kmart. "In honor of reaching this $100 million milestone, we wanted to bring a very
special experience to the patients at St. Jude that would virtually
transport them into a thrilling land of adventure and excitement,
allowing them to escape the realities of their treatment and just
be kids."
It is not too late to make a donation to St. Jude this holiday
season. Kmart shoppers are encouraged to head to Kmart or Kmart.com
to purchase from the suite of gifts, including the popular "Giving
Hat," which is embroidered with the inspiring message of #LOVE or
make a donation in store at checkout. For more information on
Kmart's partnership with St. Jude visit Kmart.com/StJude. Everyone
is encouraged to share their support for St. Jude by posting on
their social media channels what #LOVE means to them. Tag #Kmart,
#StJude, #TheGivingHat and #LOVE, and be part of this amazing
$100 million celebration for St. Jude
and Kmart.
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 or following
St. Jude on facebook.com/stjude and twitter.com/stjude.
About Kmart
Kmart is making shopping fun again. The
retailer, a subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:
SHLD), is bringing back the iconic Bluelight Specials, hosting
Freebie Saturdays and in-store family events for its Shop Your Way
members and customers. Kmart offers customers thrilling deals and
amazing finds on quality products and exclusive brands including
Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Route 66 and Smart Sense. Kmart's
V.E.R.V. coast-to-coast mobile tour, will travel nationwide.
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SOURCE St. Jude Children's Research Hospital