Domino’s Pizza, the largest pizza company in the world, has announced an ambitious plan to raise $300 million by 2034 to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This historic pledge, the largest corporate or private financial commitment ever made to a children’s hospital, was unveiled by Domino’s CEO Russell Weiner during the company’s 2024 Worldwide Rally in Las Vegas. The announcement underscores Domino’s long-standing partnership with St. Jude and highlights the power of small customer donations in making a significant impact.
Since 2004, Domino’s has participated in the annual St. Jude Thanks and Giving® campaign, allowing customers to add a small donation to their orders. The company also encourages year-round contributions through a simple option for customers to round up their change. Over the past twenty years, these small donations have accumulated to over $126 million, showcasing the cumulative power of minor charitable acts. The new $300 million goal aims to continue this trend, driving further advancements in research and treatment of childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Russell Weiner expressed his gratitude for the customers’ generosity, stating, “Our new Hungry for More growth strategy means more stores and more sales, providing even more opportunities for customers to donate to St. Jude. By 2034, we believe we can raise $300 million, helping families focus on their child’s recovery without worrying about bills for treatment, travel, housing, or food.”
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has been a beacon of hope for families worldwide since its founding by Danny Thomas in 1962. At that time, childhood cancer was largely considered incurable, with survival rates around 20%. Today, thanks to the relentless efforts of St. Jude and its supporters, survival rates have soared to over 80%. Domino’s commitment will further aid St. Jude’s mission to find cures and save children, ensuring no family receives a bill for their child’s care.
Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization for St. Jude, praised Domino’s for their dedication. “We are incredibly grateful for this momentous and historic $300 million pledge from our compassionate and purpose-driven friends at Domino’s. This record-setting commitment supports our efforts to advance treatments and raise survival rates for children around the world with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”
This substantial commitment follows the recent opening of The Domino’s Village, a multi-million dollar, six-story, 307,000 square foot housing facility for patients and their families, funded by Domino’s as part of a 10-year, $100 million commitment announced in 2020. The facility offers 140 furnished apartments and communal recreation spaces, further demonstrating Domino’s dedication to supporting St. Jude beyond financial contributions.
While the proliferation of donation prompts at checkout counters across various retailers may seem overwhelming, the story of Domino’s and St. Jude illustrates the profound impact these small contributions can have. Each dollar donated not only helps fund critical research and treatment but also brings hope to families facing unimaginable challenges.
Shadyac’s sentiment resonates deeply: “By giving customers the opportunity to donate at checkout, Domino’s enables them to live charitably – to make small acts for good that, collectively, will make a difference for families all across the globe.”
The collaboration between Domino’s and St. Jude exemplifies how corporate social responsibility initiatives can harness the power of everyday actions to drive significant change. It reminds us that even small contributions, when aggregated, can support monumental endeavors like curing childhood cancer.
Sources: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Nation’s Restaurant News, Pizza Today
Final Thoughts: While the prompts to donate money at what seems like every place you spend your money may seem irritating, it’s heartening to see that it can have a real impact in stories like these. The collaborative effort between Domino’s and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital highlights the remarkable power of collective goodwill and the difference it can make in the lives of countless families. By embracing these small opportunities to give, we all contribute to a larger, more compassionate community.