Carnival Cruise Line set a 2024 goal to raise $33 million for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Through the generosity of the cruise line’s guests, that goal has been met.
Speaking at Carnival Jubilee’s naming ceremony in Galveston, Texas, Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy announced a new pledge goal of $50 million by 2030. In honor of Carnival Jubilee’s godmother, Gwen Stefani, and to kick off the fundraising, Duffy presented a $50,000 donation to Richard C. Shadyac, Jr, President and CEO of ALSAC. ALSAC is the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude.
“The unwavering devotion from our guests and team members is the reason we’re able to make an impact in supporting St. Jude’s important mission,” said Duffy, who is also a member of the St. Jude Professional Advisory Board. “Thanks to our crew and guests’ continued generosity, we’re able to raise our fundraising goal and extend that impact. As the cruise line that serves more children and families than any other, we are proud to have a long-standing partnership with St. Jude and look forward to seeing the good that will come from reaching this new and ambitious goal.”
Carnival also unveiled a sculpture depicting sea life onboard Carnival Jubilee that is patient-inspired and designed. Ty, the patient whose art inspired the sculpture, was on hand to cut the ceremonial ribbon on the piece. Additionally, other artwork featured on the ship has been co-created by St. Jude patients and several Carnival cruise directors.
“We are simply ecstatic to celebrate our Official Celebration Partner, Carnival Cruise Line – for its remarkable $33 million fundraising milestone, and for its new commitment to raise $50 million by 2030 to support the lifesaving work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” said Shadyac Jr. “We are deeply thankful for Carnival committing to helping children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases through financial support and for honoring our patients, like Ty, by featuring their art-inspired sculptures on new ships. At St. Jude, we believe every child deserves the chance to live their best life and celebrate every moment — and because of this partnership, we can help give more kids that opportunity.”
Carnival Cruise Line has been the Official Celebration Partner of St. Jude since 2010. The cruise line hosts events at the hospital and raises money through fundraising events both onboard and ashore. The cruise line also displays patient inspired and designed artwork aboard Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras.