St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and Immortals LLC announced today a first-of-its-kind partnership that unites the two entities to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Immortals, and its Overwatch League® franchise team, the Los Angeles Valiant, have committed to raising a total of $500,000 over two years to support the St. Jude mission: Finding cures. Saving children.®
“We appreciate the opportunity to create a new, dynamic way to engage with esports fans and introduce our mission to new potential supporters,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Through this partnership, we look forward to working with Immortals and the LA Valiant, as well as the large and growing esports fan community who continues to generously support the patients, families and lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”
In 2018, as part of the LA Valiant’s inaugural season in the Overwatch League, the team raised thousands of dollars for patients and families at St. Jude through its Be Valiant event series and Live the Legacy playoff campaign. This partnership cements Immortals and LA Valiant’s relationship to St. Jude and paves the way for collaborative efforts that build upon the successes in 2018.
“It is part of our organizational DNA to give back to the communities that we serve and represent,” said Noah Whinston, Executive Chairman of Immortals and Los Angeles Valiant. “We believe wholeheartedly in the mission of St. Jude, and it is an honor to work with a partner that shares our values of inclusivity. It’s incredible that families at St. Jude never receive a bill, so they can focus on what matters most – helping their child live.”
Immortals and LA Valiant will deploy multiple initiatives to engage the esports community to raise funds and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through in-person events and digital activations. On December 19, Joshua “Ah Craaaap” Sharon, from Immortals’ North American Champion Clash Royale® League team, will kick off the partnership with a six-hour charity stream to benefit St. Jude. Viewers can watch and donate on his stream on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/ahcraaap beginning at 12:00pm PST.
Utilizing a unique digital fundraising activation in esports, the LA Valiant will launch a campaign where fans can donate based on the outcomes and achievements of the LA Valiant team and players during the Overwatch League season. All proceeds go directly to St. Jude.
Additionally, fans will have the opportunity to receive exclusive cobranded LA Valiant and St. Jude merchandise.
At a recent visit to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Immortals and LA Valiant players and staff had the opportunity to spend time with St. Jude patients and families and experience the St. Jude mission firsthand.
Fans can join Immortals and LA Valiant in the fight to end childhood cancer here.