$16 million raised during St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend
by: Quametra Wilborn
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Thousands of people braved the cold to come together on Saturday morning to run in the annual St. Jude Marathon.
Runners gathered in downtown Memphis to raise millions for the children’s research hospital.
“St. Jude is such a big part of Memphis,” supporter Isabella Gattas said. “Which is like awesome that everyone feels the need to give back. It’s awesome.”
More than 22,500 runners worldwide, 40,000 spectators and hundreds of volunteers came out to support the patients and staff at St. Jude.
Officials with ALSAC, the fundraising organization for St. Jude, said the massive event is the organization’s largest single-day fundraising event.
The marathon has raised more than $88 million since it began in 1982.
Organizers say every donation and dollar raised has gone towards St. Jude’s mission to find cures and end childhood cancer.
“It really made it easier to finish like when you got tired knowing that it was for something important,” runner Connor Graben said.
Those watching on the sidelines say they’re proud to see the city come together for this cause.
“This is amazing. This is our first time to actually come out for this and it is a lot of community support,” supporter Pamela Marshall said. “We’re all here for one reason and it’s for the kids at St. Jude.”
“We’re so proud of being from Memphis,” Gattas said. “We’re so proud of Memphis and seeing all these people together. It’s awesome.”
City of Memphis officials say $16 million was raised for this year’s event.
About Post Author
