There is just something about a bunch of ukuleles playing together that makes people smile. Each year, our Memphis Ukulele Flash Mob entertains the runners in the St. Jude Marathon. Often they are exhausted, they laugh, cry, smile, dance and some even stop to take selfies with us. It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of.
Runners raise millions of dollars to fight against rare forms of childhood cancer. https://www.stjude.org/get-involved/fitness-fundraisers/memphis-marathon.html
I love the story behind St. Jude and the founding of the hospital by Danny Thomas. Praying to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes, Danny asked the saint to “help me find my way in life, and I will build you a shrine.” It is so inspiring to live in Memphis and see the fulfillment of the promise that Thomas made to St. Jude. It is always a powerful reminder to me, of how each of us has the power to change the world and be a blessing to others. https://www.stjude.org/directory/t/danny-thomas-founder.html
It was his wish that children are treated here for catastrophic childhood cancer, while families never receive a bill so that they can focus on their sick child instead of medical bills.
This video below from 2021 shows what our experience is like. A runner sees us and starts weeping. The event is always bittersweet.
