500. The Power of Collective Generosity: A Conversation with Rick Shadyac of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

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Overview

Meet Rick. He’s the President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The hospital's success is rooted in a journey marked by innovation and philanthropy. The fabric of humanity is woven with stories of resilience and one place that's abundantly clear within the walls of St. Jude. Rick guides us through the poignant stories of families who, in the face of adversity, have found strength and hope. Today’s episode is all about community and collective generosity. We couldn’t ask for a better topic for the 500th episode of the We Are For Good podcast. Tune in for a conversation that’ll leave you asking, “If not us, then who?"

💡Learn

About St. Jude's founding + vision
ALSAC + St. Jude’s unique operating model
How to focus on innovation, generosity + humanity

Today’s Guest

Rick Shadyac, President + CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

“This mission changes you.”

— Rick Shadyac, President + CEO of ALSAC

Episode Transcript

Download Full Episode Transcript Here

Episode Highlights

Rick’s story and journey to where he is today (3:50)
Danny Thomas’s ingenuity in creating St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (6:10)
Two separate organizations: ALSAC and St. Jude (8:55)
The importance of community and grassroots support (12:15)
The innovative culture at ALSAC/St. Jude (19:00)
Rick’s lessons learned about the power of generosity and humanity (22:00)
A powerful story of philanthropy in Rick’s life (25:00)
Rick’s One Good Thing: Live charitably. (26:00)
How to connect with St. Jude + Rick (30:00)

Impactful Quotes

“Their donations are coming to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and that's why I call St. Jude the People's Hospital because they're operating it every single day.” -Rick

“This mission changes you.” -Rick

“Without grassroots support, there would be no St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.” -Rick

“Now we have to create a global grassroots movement.” -Rick

“If not St. Jude, then who?” -Rick

“We believe we have a moral imperative to address some of these things.” -Rick

“If you don’t disrupt yourself you’re going to be disrupted.” -Rick

“Anticipate these disruptions and change, and formulate strategies to address those disruptions.” -Rick

“Humanity is good. What troubles me is all the focus we place on the negative things going on in the world. There are so many people that come together to do good, but they’re doing it quietly.” -Rick

“I say to people to live charitably. Charitable living should be a lifestyle.” -Rick

“If we practice it and we truly live charitably, it is contagious, other people are going to pick up on it.” -Rick