Press Release – (CHICAGO, IL and MEMPHIS, TN – Oct. 5, 2016) – Red Frog Events announced today a donation of 1 percent of annual profits to its charity partner, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. This is the first time a St. Jude partner has committed a percentage of its annual profits to support the hospital’s lifesaving mission of finding cures and saving children.
Red Frog Events first partnered with St. Jude in 2009, and through various programs and initiatives, has raised more than $13.5 million toward a $25-million commitment made to the hospital in 2013. This commitment funded the first proton therapy center in the world dedicated solely to children. The St. Jude Red Frog Events Proton Therapy Center opened December 2015 with a vibrant ambiance that resembles Red Frog Events’ Chicago headquarters.
“From the moment we learned about the inspiring, lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, we realized we had an opportunity to support their efforts and make a significant impact,” said Ryan Kunkel, co-CEO of Red Frog Events. “There’s no other organization providing the caliber of research, findings and treatment to childhood cancer. We’re honored to increase our dedication to St. Jude with this commitment.”
Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since it opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. Because of the generous support of partnerships like this, no family ever receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food, because St. Jude believes all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
“Red Frog Events has truly embraced the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and this decision to donate 1 percent of its annual profits is an innovative way to demonstrate Red Frog’s deep passion and commitment to supporting St. Jude patients and their families,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “We are grateful for Red Frog Events’ leadership, staff and supporters, who help St. Jude continue our pioneering research and exceptional care, including the St. Jude Red Frog Events Proton Therapy Center, which gives St. Jude doctors the ability to deliver state-of-the-art care tailored specifically for children.”
Red Frog Events was founded in 2007 by Joe Reynolds. Its fundraising efforts for St. Jude have come from a variety of efforts and through the company’s events and services. Red Frog’s Warrior Dash obstacle race series has raised millions of dollars and the Firefly Music Festival has been a key driver of the St. Jude Music Gives program. Through their ticketing platform, EventSprout, Red Frog Events’ clients have the opportunity to add a St. Jude fundraising component onto their event’s ticketing process, something Red Frog does for all of its own events. Red Frog Events was named the 2013 St. Jude Corporate Partner of the Year.
For more information on Red Frog Events, visit RedFrogEvents.com.
About Red Frog Events:
Red Frog Events is an event production company and a pioneer of the experiential entertainment industry, recognized for its award-winning company culture. Since 2007, the company has developed innovative brands including the Warrior Dash obstacle race series, Firefly Music Festival, and Chicago Beer Classic. Red Frog also provides event services ranging from food and beverage to its ticketing platform, EventSprout. Red Frog has been named one of Forbes’ “Most Promising Companies in America”, has appeared consecutively on Inc. Magazine’s “Fastest Growing Companies” list, and was recognized on Chicago Tribune’s “Top Workplaces” from 2011-2014, among other honors. In recognition of its philanthropic efforts, the company was selected as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s “Corporate Partner of the Year” and to date has raised over $13.5 million of a $25-million fundraising commitment. Visit RedFrogEvents.com for more information.
