CANTON, Mass., Oct. 30, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The DXL Group announced today that it will once again partner with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® for the St. Jude Thanks and Giving® campaign, an unprecedented union of celebrities, media, and more than 70 of the nation's leading brands and companies that ask consumers to donate while they shop during the holiday season to help St. Jude advance research and treatment of childhood cancer.
This is the eleventh year the DXL Group has participated in the campaign, which began as a holiday-focused fundraising effort and has grown into an annual tradition that has raised more than $6.3 million in 11 years thanks to tremendous public support. These funds are critical given that no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
"For the last decade, Destination XL Group has devoted extensive time and energy in support of the life-saving mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital," David Levin, DXL Group's President and Chief Executive Officer, said. "In 2014, we set another record year in fundraising, totaling $846,000. Over the years, we have donated over $6 million to St. Jude. This commitment has had a very positive effect on the culture at the home office as well as in all of our stores across the country."
That $6 million is enough to operate the hospital for three full days.
"Last year, we participated, for the first time, in the St. Jude Give Thanks. Walk™. Even though we were one of the "smaller" retailers taking part in the walk, we had nearly 500 DXL Group participants walking in 51 events across the country, more than any other company, and raised $93,000 in donations from friends and family," Levin added.
This year, even more DXL Group employees participated and raised over $110,000 during the September St. Jude Walk/Run To End Childhood Cancer, surpassing their original goal by more than $10,000.
Beginning Thanksgiving week and running through the end of the year, DXL Group's customers can support the campaign by donating at their local store. In addition, the DXL Group will have a variety of fundraisers at the corporate office.
"I am so grateful for the DXL Group's dedication to helping the children and families of St. Jude," said Marlo Thomas, National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "During the holiday shopping season, DXL Group's participation in the St. Jude Thanks and Giving® campaign makes it easy for its customers to help our doctors and scientists continue the research and treatment that leads to cures and gives these children the chance to enjoy many more holidays for years to come."
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since it opened more than 50 years ago, and they won't stop until no child dies from cancer. The hospital freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, so every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.
Created by Marlo, Terre and Tony Thomas – children of St. Jude founder Danny Thomas – the St. Jude Thanks and Giving® campaign asks people to "Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not" in order to help St. Jude continue its mission of finding cures and saving children.
To find your local DXL or Casual Male XL store visit www.destinationXL.com To learn more about the St. Jude Thanks and Giving® campaign or to make a donation, visit www.stjude.org or call 1-800-4STJUDE.
About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital:
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and we won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook (facebook.com/stjude) and following us on Twitter (@stjude).
About Destination XL Group:
Destination XL Group Inc. (DXLG) is the parent company of Destination XL. The Company is headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts, and its common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "DXLG".
Destination XL Group, Inc. is the largest retailer of men's apparel in sizes XL and up, with operations throughout the United States, and in London, England. The company is currently in the process of transitioning from Casual Male XL to focus primarily on the Destination XL concept. Destination XL Group, Inc. currently operates Casual Male XL retail and outlet stores, Rochester Clothing stores, Destination XL stores and e-commerce sites, including DestinationXL.com and mobile site m.DestinationXL.com. DestinationXL.com offers a multi-channel solution similar to the DXL store experience with the most extensive selection of online products available anywhere for the bigger guy.