Alpha Lambda Blog #1!

Our Core. Our Philanthropy.

Welcome to back to our blog!! We're thrilled to kick off the beginning of the school year and bring it back to life! Picking what would be our first blog back was a simple decision. Being a Tri Delta means we get to support our amazing philanthropy, St. Jude Research Hospital.

This amazing organization is a leading pediatric cancer research hospital located in Memphis, Tennessee. It is renowned for its groundbreaking research, advanced treatments, and commitment to providing care to children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases, regardless of their financial situation.

St. Jude's Mission is to advance cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Families who have a kid receiving treatment never receive a bill for anything, including travel, housing, food or care at St. Jude. This ensures access to care regardless of financial status.

The mission of St. Jude started back in 1962 with entertainer Danny Thomas. His goal was to fund cures for childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The hospital was founded on the premise that "no child should die in the dawn of life." The day St. Jude was founded Thomas said, "If I were to die this minute, I would know why I was born."

Some statistics to prove that St. Jude is incredible in their work is the rise in childhood cancer survival from 20% to 80% since 1962. They also have had an overall rise for ALL, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, survival rate to reach up to 94% which is absolutely amazing. That form of cancer is the most common blood cancer and it is a fast-growing cancer of the white blood cells.

At the beginning of June, our Director of PR and Marketing, Emma Grace Knight, and Vice President of Chapter Programming and Risk, Anna Taylor, got the chance to travel to Memphis for the Tri Delta Celebration hosted by St. Jude. Tri Delta is one of five organizations and the only non-profit to raise over $100 million for our philanthropy.

Read on to discover what this unforgettable trip meant to Emma Grace! From Friday night icebreakers to a powerful Saturday morning tour of St. Jude, followed by a fun-filled evening at a minor league baseball game with chapters from across the country—and everything in between—Emma Grace describes this experience as one of the most inspiring few days she's ever had. Below, she shares the purpose behind the trip and just how much it meant to her personally.

"Hi all!!

My name is Emma Grace Knight, and I serve as our Director of PR and Marketing! I got the absolute honor to take the trip with my wonderful friend, Anna Taylor, by my side, on behalf of the Alpha Lambda chapter. To say this trip was amazing would be a true understatement. As Tri Deltas, St. Jude is more than just our philanthropy; it is a mission that we all hold close to our hearts. Learning that we're one of only five organizations to raise over $100 million for St. Jude, and the only non-profit, makes me incredibly proud to be a Tri Delta. During our time there, we learned about fundraising, heard from families that had kids who were patients, doctors, CEO's, and met a

patient who is now a cancer-free survivor all

thanks to the groundbreaking work being done at St. Jude. We also got the opportunity to visit Tri Delta Place, a short-term housing facility at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, offering comfortable lodging and amenities to up to 100 patient families during visits. Funded by the Delta Delta Delta sorority, it was renamed in 2014 in recognition of Tri Delta’s record-breaking $60 million fundraising commitment to St. Jude. More than just a place to stay, it helps ease financial and emotional burdens so families can focus on their child’s care.

I am beyond lucky I get the honor to fundraise for this incredible philanthropy, yet, after this weekend, I learned it is not only about fundraising--it is about hope and standing behind something that is truly so much bigger than ourselves.

We were asked during our time there for our "Why St. Jude" moment. For me, that moment came during our tour of the hospital, when we had the absolute privilege of being joined by a St. Jude patient. Hearing his story--how he was once told he wouldn't live much longer, and yet here he was, standing before us, alive and full of hope--was incredibly powerful and deeply moving.

As we stood together on campus, listening to him share his journey, the impact of what St. Jude does became undeniably real. That was my "Why St. Jude" moment--the moment everything clicked. To hear firsthand how our sorority is changing lives, fighting for kids who were given impossible odds, and creating hope where there once was one--it made me feel even more honored and motivated to be a part of the mission. This experience reminded me that every dollar raised, every event held, every connection made--it all matters. It all helps give children like Tyler a second chance at life.

I’m honored to work alongside our incredible Director of Philanthropy, Annabelle Zemke. While she couldn’t join us on this trip, I’m so proud to know her and excited to see all she’ll accomplish in the upcoming school year. Annabelle is the kind of person who brings every goal to life through dedication and heart. Watching her thrive in this role has been such a joy, and I truly can’t think of anyone better to lead our fundraising efforts for St. Jude on behalf of Alpha Lambda."

All my Delta love and more,

Emma Grace Knight

We hope you got the chance to learn more about our amazing philanthropy, St. Jude, and what it means to us. If you feel inclined, head over to St. Jude's website and learn more about their mission and what they have to offer!

Delta Love,

Alpha Lambda