Xplorers and Hollywood Casino Looking to Help Children of St. Jude Through Jersey Auction

Published on June 9, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss.—The Memphis Xplorers arena football team will explore the halls of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital tomorrow, visiting with patients and learning about the hospital's research and accomplishments—most notably, the living testaments in the fight to cure cancer.

The visit is a prelude to the Xplorers' Saturday night game, after which Hollywood Casino is sponsoring a jersey auction with all proceeds benefiting patients at St. Jude.

"The Xplorers are thrilled to be working with St. Jude and Hollywood Casino," Xplorers General Manager Greg Griffith said. "The jersey auction will be a first for the Xplorers. We're hoping that everyone who cares about St. Jude will come out and bid high and bid often."

The hospital's overall mission is improving cure rates for children with infectious diseases, malignant solid tumors or hematological disorders, primarily leukemias and lymphomas. Long-term outcome for two of the most frequent forms of childhood cancer has seen recent gains: an 80 percent survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and a 90 percent survival rate for non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Ashley Reding, event marketing representative with St. Jude, said the hospital has helped increase the cure rate for childhood cancer from less than 20 percent to more than 70 percent.

"When the hospital opened its doors in 1962, the cure rate for the most common type of cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, was only four percent," Reding said. "No family wants to be told that their child only has a four percent chance of living. But thanks to the research done here that cure rate is up to 80 percent, and is even more for some other types of cancer."

Money raised helps offset the costs of research and treatment for children admitted to St. Jude with cancer or other catastrophic illness. St. Jude/ALSAC (St Jude's fundraising arm) covers all costs not covered by insurance for medical treatment rendered at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Families without insurance are never asked to pay.

"Hollywood Casino is pleased that our sponsorship with the Memphis Xplorers gives us another means of supporting our local community," said Jeff Strang, Vice President of Marketing for Hollywood Casino. "Each year, Hollywood Casino proudly supports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's mission to find a cure for catastrophic childhood diseases through sponsorship of various local fundraising events."

Xplorers operator Robin Grindstaff Costa said cooperating on a project to benefit St. Jude is always a welcome opportunity.

"I purchased the team this year because I saw the RiverKings had great potential as a fundraising vehicle for non-profit groups and charitable causes," Costa said. "St. Jude is one of the premier charitable causes in this area. We are glad to help raise awareness for such a compassionate and effective organization."

Memphis hosts the Birmingham Steeldogs this Saturday night at the DeSoto Civic Center, located just 15 minutes south of downtown Memphis. The jersey auction sponsored by Hollywood Casino will be immediately following the game. For tickets call (662) 280-3737 or go online to www.xplorersaf2.com.

· Who: Memphis Xplorers af2 team

· What: Visits St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as prelude to jersey auction after Xplorers game Saturday, June 14, sponsored by Hollywood Casino to benefit St. Jude patients

· When: Tuesday, June 10

· Where: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

· How to get more information: Call Steve Freeman at 662-280-3737 or Whitley Porter at 662-470-2154.

XPLORERS FOOTBALL CAMP

· Children ages six to 12 who love football will have an opportunity to learn from the pros when the Memphis Xplorers host a football clinic this Saturday, June 14th, beginning at 1 p.m. at the DeSoto Civic Center. Cost is $25 and participants in the camp will receive a ticket to that night's Xplorers game against the Birmingham Steeldogs at the DCC included in the camp registration fee. Campers will also receive a T-shirt and have a chance for autographs from the Xplorers team. For more information call the Xplorers office at (662) 280-3737.

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