Baton Rouge Steps Up for St. Jude With $900,000 Goal in Sight
The St. Jude Walk returns to downtown Baton Rouge on Saturday, bringing families, survivors and supporters together while raising money for children facing cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
BATON ROUGE, La. — Hundreds of walkers, runners, families and childhood cancer advocates are expected to fill A.Z. Young Park on Saturday, Sept. 19, for the 2026 St. Jude Walk, a community effort that has already raised more than three-quarters of its ambitious $900,000 goal.
As of Tuesday, the Baton Rouge campaign had collected approximately $688,360, about 76% of its target — before participants take their first official steps. The family-friendly event is part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and supports the research, treatment, and family-assistance programs of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The gathering begins with an opening ceremony at 8 a.m. at A.Z. Young Park, 755 N. Third St. A Kids Dash for children 12 and younger starts at 8:30 a.m., followed by the walk and 5K at 8:40 a.m. Participants may register individually, form a team, join an existing team, or take part virtually. Registration and donations are available through the official Baton Rouge event page.
This year’s fundraising board reflects the personal stories and corporate support powering the campaign. Big Money’s Battle leads all teams with more than $256,000 raised, followed by Methanex Geismar with nearly $60,000 and More Than Fore with more than $52,000. Team Anna James has collected more than $25,000, while several other teams have raised thousands in honor of children and families affected by serious illnesses.
Local sponsors include Methanex, New Orleans Polo Club, Wireless Services, Republic Finance, BASF, Gives, Entergy, WYNK and WBRZ.
The impact of the event extends beyond the Memphis hospital campus. Baton Rouge is home to a St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, one of eight expanded St. Jude affiliate clinics in the country. The clinic gives children in Louisiana access to specialized pediatric hematology and oncology services closer to home. Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital serves as the central hub of a statewide pediatric network and houses 99 patient beds.
Money raised through the walk helps St. Jude continue its policy that families never receive a bill from the hospital for treatment, travel, housing or food. That support allows parents to concentrate on their child’s care instead of the financial burden that can accompany a serious diagnosis.
The fundraising also supports research credited with helping increase the overall childhood cancer survival rate from about 20% when St. Jude opened in 1962 to more than 80% today.
The Baton Rouge walk is presented with support from the Dream Day Foundation, a local nonprofit founded in 1994. The foundation reports that it has contributed more than $5.7 million to St. Jude through fundraising, advocacy and special events. Its work also supports families receiving care through the Baton Rouge affiliate clinic. Dream Day Foundation confirmed the Sept. 19 walk as one of its major 2026 events.
The event is designed for participants of varying ages and abilities. Supporters who cannot attend in person may participate virtually, contribute to an existing fundraiser, or make a direct donation.
For registration, volunteering, or additional information, contact Baton Rouge walk staff partner Courtney Albritton at 225-954-3009 or Courtney.Albritton@alsac.stjude.org.
