Varsity Campers Help Raise Funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning this May, Varsity's summer cheerleading camp season will kick off in all 50 states. The 350,000 cheerleaders and dancers that will head to Varsity summer camps will learn cheerleading basics like crowd leading and cheers, and the safest techniques for stunting, pyramid building and spotting.  

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This year Varsity, the leader in instructional cheerleading and dance team camps, is teaming up with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® to support its mission of finding cures for children fighting cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

All incoming campers have been asked to bring five donation letters with them to camp to send to family and friends in the hope of raising essential funds for the world renowned children's hospital. All campers that bring their five letters to camp will receive a special Team Up for St. Jude pin.

"I can't think of a better partnership than St. Jude and Varsity. We are thrilled to team up with them to raise the funds that are so crucial to treating children with life-threatening illnesses," said Nicole Lauchaire, Vice President of Corporate Marketing and Communications. "Cheerleaders have prominent roles in their schools and communities, and we know they will put their all into making this initiative a success for St. Jude and for its patients."

"The Varsity camps are an ideal place for us to educate young and enthusiastic athletes about the lifesaving mission of St. Jude," said Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. "The energy of the cheerleaders and dancers will not only help us spread our message of hope to their networks but also raise critical dollars so that we can continue to search for cures for these precious children."

All donations will be tracked and the team that raises the most money for St. Jude will be awarded an all expense paid trip to Memphis, Tenn., to visit St. Jude, meet St. Jude patients and their families, attend a recognition dinner and a Team Up for St. Jude photo shoot, and visit the Varsity headquarters for a tour and a press conference.

About Varsity

Varsity is the source for all things related to cheerleading and dance team.  With a rich heritage and traditions dating back to 1948, Varsity is an innovative global leader comprised of the leading spirit brands and organizations including its educational camps, clinics, competitions and uniforms to teams around the world. Varsity's National Championships, which are held at the Walt Disney World® Resorts, some of which have been televised on ESPN Networks for more than 25 years. Sponsors of Varsity events include Gatorade and Nike.  Web-based Varsity TV features thousands of cheerleading and dance team videos and has become a favorite cheer destination for cheerleaders and coaches alike. Varsity has led the way in cheerleading safety as a supporter of the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators since 1987 and as a camp leader training 350,000 cheerleaders per year in cheerleading fundamentals with an emphasis on safety. The Varsity camp brands include Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA), National Cheerleaders Association (NCA), United Cheerleading Association (USA) and American Cheerleading Association (ACA). Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Varsity employs 5,000 employees nationwide.  For more information about Varsity, please visit http://www.varsity.com.

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

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. St. Jude was named the nation's top children's cancer hospital in the 2010-11 Best Children's Hospitals rankings published by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, go to www.stjude.org and follow St. Jude on www.facebook.com/stjude and www.twitter.com/stjude.

Contact:
Sheila Noone
1-901-251-5959
[email protected]

SOURCE Varsity