18th Annual ‘Run Rich Run’ Benefiting St. Jude to Air During NFL Network’s 2022 NFL Draft Coverage
‘Run Rich Run’ to Air During NFL Network’s Round 4-7 Coverage on Saturday, April 30
The 18th annual ‘Run Rich Run’ campaign continues to raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®.
Highlighting ‘Run Rich Run’ each year is NFL Network’s Emmy-nominated host Rich Eisen donning his trademark suit and tie to run a 40-yard dash, and this year Eisen conducted his run at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. Eisen was joined by St. Jude patient Alexander, 11, who served as the official time and motivator for the participating runners. Alexander was diagnosed in 2017 with medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer. He was treated at St. Jude and is now cancer-free.
Over the past seven years, Eisen’s annual 40-yard dash has blossomed into a premier philanthropic fundraising event benefiting the kids of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, with last year’s campaign raising a record $1.7 million.
For this year’s run, Eisen enlisted the help of numerous NFL legends including Cris Carter, Michael Vick, Rod Woodson, Robert Griffin III and Eric Metcalf to be partnered with some of the country’s most celebrated entrepreneurs.
Provided below are the entrepreneurs who took part:
- Vinit Bharara – Co-Founder and CEO of Mojo
- Melissa Bridgeford – Co-Founder and CEO of Wizard
- Michael Jaconi – Co-Founder and CEO of Button
- Alex Lieberman – Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Morning Brew
- Marc Lore – CEO and Chairman of Wonder
- Sebastian Tomich – Chief Commercial Officer of The Athletic
For the second consecutive year, serial entrepreneur Marc Lore brought entrepreneurs together to donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and provide the opportunity to be paired with an NFL Legend to create a fun competition in which each pair ran a 40-yard dash, with the lowest combined time being declared the winner.
Additionally, this year’s NFL PLAY 60 Super Kid Aubrey Anaya, 11, attended the run as an ambassador and enthusiastic supporter of Eisen, Alexander, St. Jude and healthy kids everywhere. From Indio, California, Anaya was the official NFL PLAY 60 Ambassador during Super Bowl Week in Los Angeles and participated in a variety of community events and behind-the-scenes opportunities leading up to Super Bowl LVI.
Eisen’s 40-yard dash, sponsored by Zebra Technologies, will air during NFL Network’s coverage of Rounds 4-7 of the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 30 at 12 Noon ET.
«It’s clear to everyone why Rich Eisen was named 2021 St. Jude Ambassador of the Year – just watch him, back once again using this incredible platform to share his passion of fundraising for the kids of St. Jude,» said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. «We will all be tuning in to cheer as Rich sprints to the finish line, knowing every stride helps St. Jude get closer to realizing the goals of its six-year, $11.5 billion strategic plan that focuses on increasing childhood cancer survival rates across the globe.»
«Each year, our ‘Run Rich Run’ fundraiser keeps getting more special and holding this year’s event in The Rose Bowl is yet another dream come true to help raise money for St. Jude,» said Eisen.
Fans are encouraged to submit their 40-yard dash videos or unique variation on social media using the hashtag #RunRichRun or #RunYour40.
‘Run Rich Run’ has grown to become a defining and leading charitable campaign. Since Eisen began supporting St. Jude through ‘Run Rich Run’ fundraising seven years ago, approximately $4.2 million has been raised to benefit the mission of St. Jude: Finding cures. Saving Children. Eisen’s commitment to charity was formally recognized in 2017 when he was bestowed with the Pat Summerall Award at the Legends of Charity Dinner during Super Bowl LI week in Houston. Additionally, St. Jude presented Eisen with their Ambassador of the Year Award in October 2021, a tremendously special and prestigious honor.
Fans around the globe have since rallied around Eisen’s passion for this cause, knowing that not only will it be fun to participate, but their generous donations support research and treatment toward a cure for childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Continued participation will ensure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live.
Since 2012, the NFL has partnered with St. Jude through NFL PLAY 60, which is the «Official Champion of Play» at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As the League’s national youth health and wellness campaign encouraging youth to get physically active for 60 minutes a day, the NFL PLAY 60 initiative helps patients and families at St. Jude cope with serious illnesses through play therapy, peer interaction and other activities.
Eisen is the host of the Emmy-nominated The Rich Eisen Show which airs Monday-Friday at 12 Noon ET on Peacock and SiriusXM Ch. 211.
