Kappa Alpha Psi Honored for Raising $1 Million for St. Jude in Five Years

Funds raised from 2010 Sunday of Hope national fundraiser helped fraternity to reach historical mark

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® recently recognized Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated for raising $1 million in five years. The fraternity achieved the milestone by raising $310,000 through the 2010 Sunday of Hope national fundraising program.

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(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100608/DC18034)

Those in attendance included representatives from top fundraising churches, St. Jude families and members of Kappa Alpha Psi, including nationally recognized clergy Revered Calvin O. Butts, III, who delivered an inspirational message.

In 2005, Kappa Alpha Psi named St. Jude as its national philanthropic partner. Kappa Alpha Psi began partnering with churches around the country in 2007 for the Sunday of Hope fundraiser, where churches collect a special offering during a designated regular Sunday worship service. All funds collected are donated to St. Jude, one of the world's premier pediatric cancer research centers.

"We are grateful to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the hundreds of churches who have participated in Sunday of Hope," said Richard C. Shadyac, Jr., chief executive officer of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. "Their dedication to the patients of St. Jude is inspiring. As our patients battle some of the most deadly diseases, we are glad to have their support of our mission of finding cures and saving children."

"Kappa Alpha Psi is proud of its service to mankind over the last century. Nothing makes us prouder than the partnership we have with St. Jude and the Sunday of Hope initiative that has garnered more than $1 million in less than five years," said Dwayne M. Murray, Esq., Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. "We have decided to assist in the waging of war against childhood diseases and the work at St. Jude exemplifies the frontline of the battle against cancer and other deadly diseases that affect children. I encourage all members of Kappa Alpha Psi to continue to reach out to churches and other organizations to assist us in this perpetual, lifesaving war."

For more information about the Sunday of Hope program or to make a donation, visit www.stjude.org/sundayofhope.

About St. Jude

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. In 2010, St. Jude was ranked the most trusted charity in the nation in a public survey conducted by Harris Interactive, a highly respected international polling and research firm. For more information, go to www.stjude.org.

About Kappa Alpha Psi

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is an international organization founded on the campus of Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana on January 5, 1911. Since its inception, it has trained over 125,000 men, particularly undergraduates, for leadership roles in their communities and the attainment of a high degree of excellence in their academic pursuits. The International Headquarters is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

SOURCE St. Jude Children's Research Hospital