MEMPHIS, Tenn., Nov. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Walkers from more than 65 communities are stepping out on Saturday, Nov. 22 to support kids battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases at this year’s St. Jude Give thanks. Walk.™, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^®.

Since it began, the St. Jude Give thanks. Walk. has raised more than $17 million to help St. Jude provide cutting-edge treatment and pursue visionary research. These funds are critical given that no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

“The annual St. Jude Give thanks. Walk. is a great way for families and friends to join together and kick off their holiday celebrations while helping children fighting cancer and other deadly diseases,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Funds raised from the walk each year help St. Jude pursue the pioneering research and treatments that can help save the lives of children in communities everywhere.”

Anchor and producer for CNN en Español, Ismael Cala, is one of the many Latin talents and St. Jude friends expected to walk alongside participants at a St. Jude Give thanks. Walk. event. This year’s event also welcome the support to the lifesaving mission of St. Jude from artists such as: Raul Gonzalez, Rashel Diaz, Ximena Duque, Gabriel Coronel, Gloria Ordaz, Sonja Smith, Alberto Mateo, Roxana Garcia, Karent Sierra, Christian Carabias, Paula Arcila, Anna Sobero, Maria Andrea Fridmann, Guadalupe Venegas, Galo Arellano, Carolina Sandoval, James Tahhan, Juan Manuel Cortes, Carlos Augusto Maldonado, Jose Antonio Alvarez, Fabian Rios, Cynthia Olavarria, Kimberly Dos Ramos, Karolina Con K,  Paula Lamas, and many more.

“Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit the hospital campus in Memphis and today, more than ever, I am committed to its cause. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a pillar of hope for thousands of patients and their families who suffer from cancer and other life-threatening disease.” said Cala. “The St. Jude Give thanks. Walk. is a great opportunity for us to join this holiday season and give thanks for the blessings in our life supporting thousands of sick children who desperately need our help.”

In addition to supporting the lifesaving mission of St. Jude, participants receive incentives at the $35, $100 and $250 levels to help make great strides in achieving their fundraising goals. Prizes include a St. Jude Give thanks. Walk. t-shirt, tumbler and tote bag.

Target and American Airlines are National Series Sponsors of the St. Jude Give thanks. Walk., and Gold Level national teams include: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Tri Delta Fraternity, New York & Company, Brooks Brothers, AutoTrader.com and Chili’s Grill & Bar.  

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The hospital freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, so every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.

Registration for the St. Jude Give thanks. Walk. is free, except in select markets, as participants are encouraged to form teams and raise funds to help support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude. Visit givethankswalk.org to find out market-specific event day information.

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. 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.