Rich Eisen’s ‘Run Rich Run’ 40-Yard Dash Moves to St. Jude Campus, Raising $7M+
Event summary
- Rich Eisen’s ‘Run Rich Run’ 40-yard dash, a 21-year tradition, was held for the first time at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, raising over $7 million.
- The event aired during NFL Network’s 2026 NFL Draft coverage in Pittsburgh, featuring nearly 1,000 patients, families, researchers, and staff.
- NFL legends and current players, including Delanie Walker and Calvin Austin III, attended, highlighting the connection between football, media, and philanthropy.
- Shaw Sports Turf provided custom turf to transform a campus thoroughfare into the dash setting.
- St. Jude’s partnership with Eisen has helped ensure families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food.
The big picture
St. Jude’s strategic partnership with Rich Eisen and NFL Network exemplifies how sports media can amplify philanthropic efforts, turning a lighthearted tradition into a significant fundraising engine. The event underscores the growing trend of leveraging celebrity and media platforms to support healthcare causes, particularly in pediatric research. With over $7 million raised, the collaboration highlights the potential for scalable, high-impact fundraising models in the nonprofit sector.
What we're watching
- Fundraising Momentum
- Whether the shift to St. Jude’s campus can sustain or increase the $7 million+ raised annually through ‘Run Rich Run’.
- Media-Philanthropy Synergy
- How NFL Network and other sports media platforms leverage high-profile events to drive charitable contributions.
- Patient Engagement
- The impact of direct patient and family involvement in fundraising events on long-term donor commitment.
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