Delta Delta Delta Fraternity Makes Largest Single Fundraising Commitment in the History of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
ARLINGTON, TX — Delta Delta Delta Fraternity has announced a 10-year, $60-million fundraising commitment in support of its national philanthropic partner St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. In honor of this commitment — the largest single pledge in St. Jude's history — the fraternity will receive prominent recognition on the hospital's campus. Beginning July 7, the short-term housing facility adjacent to the hospital will be named Tri Delta Place.
Tri Delta leaders made the announcement during the fraternity’s biennial Convention in Indianapolis on Friday, July 4. More than 800 Tri Delta collegiate and alumnae members attended. The new commitment comes just a few months after the Fraternity announced the fulfillment of its previous pledge — $15 million in five years — a year and a half early.
“Tri Delta becomes a home away from home for its members during their collegiate years, so it’s fitting that we're being recognized in this way. Tri Delta Place provides a home for the families and kids of St. Jude at an incredibly challenging time,” says Fraternity President Phyllis Durbin Grissom, Southern Methodist. “We are honored to be able to support St. Jude’s mission in such a meaningful way and humbled by this level of recognition."
“We are consistently amazed by Tri Delta’s commitment to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the deep passion Tri Delta members have for helping our patients,” says Richard Shadyac, Jr., CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude, the fundraising and awareness organization for the hospital. “Tri Delta Place gives families a place to call home while at St. Jude, providing comfort, convenience and support within steps of the hospital.”
Tri Delta Place is located on the St. Jude campus and is home to patients who are visiting St. Jude for eight days or less. The five-story building can house 100 families and has 64 hotel-style rooms and 36 suites. Rooms feature two queen-sized beds and hotel-like amenities.
“This historical and generous gift will help give our families the peace of mind in knowing they will never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on what matters most — helping their child live,” Shadyac says.
The partnership between Tri Delta and St. Jude has seen extreme growth since the fraternity officially named St. Jude its philanthropic partner in 1999. To date, Tri Delta has raised more than $30 million for the hospital. Tri Delta’s $1 million endowment in 2002 provided a teen room for patients ages 13 to 19. Then, in 2006, Tri Delta committed to raising $10 million in 10 years to name to the Tri Delta Patient Care Floor in the Chili’s Care Center, a goal met in just four years. The Fraternity dedicated the most recent $15 million campaign to naming the specialty clinic at the hospital.
Tri Delta members of all ages have contributed to the effort, hosting fundraising events, Sincerely Yours letter-writing campaigns and participating in the annual St. Jude Give Thanks Walk, where members raised $230,000 in 2013.
Emily Stephens, a member of Tri Delta’s Theta Zeta Chapter at the University of Texas and a St. Jude patient, says, “One of my favorite parts of Tri Delta’s partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is seeing how quickly we reach our fundraising goals. I'm always impressed at how much our organization can accomplish. It’s a true privilege to leave such a legacy of philanthropy and generosity.”
About Tri Delta
Founded in 1888, Tri Delta is a leader among social Greek organizations through its passion for progress and visionary thinking. Through partnerships with nationally recognized organizations like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, award-winning publications like The Trident, and innovative collegiate and alumnae initiatives, Tri Delta is committed to leveraging our timeless values to revitalize the sorority experience. For more information, please visit http://www.tridelta.org, or call 817/633-8001. You can connect with Tri Delta on social media at facebook.com/trideltaeo and twitter.com/tridelta, #tridelta4stjude and #trideltaplace.
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 deadly diseases. St. Jude has the world’s best survival rates for the most aggressive childhood cancers, and treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since we opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent in the next decade. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs we make, 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.