Danny Thomas’ ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Has a Hollywood/Fundraising Connection That Still Shines 50 Years Later

By Abny Santicola

On television, stars such as Williams, Parker, Banderas, Romano, Jennifer Aniston, Bernie Mac, Jimmy Smits and others joined Marlo Thomas and 42 of ALSAC/St. Jude’s corporate and retail partners, including Target, Domino’s Pizza, Williams Sonoma and CVS, for the Thanks and Giving campaign. Created in 2004, the late-fall campaign features celebrities and St. Jude patients in media spots talking about the hospital, its patients and the illnesses it treats, and ends with Marlo urging the public to shop at stores that display Thanks and Giving signage where consumers may add a donation at checkout or purchase a specialty item to benefit St. Jude.