Supporting Children with Cancer - St. Jude National Charity Walk Successfully Held

Saturday, November 23, 2013 - five days before Thanksgiving.

Over 10,000 people across 74 U.S. cities took to the streets for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's "Give Thanks. Walk." event. Despite freezing temperatures in most cities, participants gathered as early as 6 a.m., ready to complete the 5-kilometer walk to raise awareness and funds for children battling cancer.

Cancer may seem distant from your life, but when it strikes any family, the impact is devastating. St. Jude is the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. providing free treatment to children with cancer - families never receive a bill. The hospital also shares all its research findings freely. With 81% of donations going directly to treatment and research, St. Jude relies entirely on public contributions. To help find cures and save young lives, iTalkBB employees voluntarily organized to participate in this meaningful event. Nearly 100 iTalkBB volunteers simultaneously joined activities in Virginia, California, New York, and Texas, spreading hope for these children.

"Together, we make a difference" - Alan Chen could only say these emotional words at the event. A longtime employee in iTalkBB's logistics department known for wearing the same blue work coat for years without buying new clothes, the nearly 60-year-old man broke down upon hearing about a child with only three weeks to live, immediately donating $1,000. When asked if he was sure about giving so much, he simply replied, "Yes, it's for the children!"

That day marked the coldest November day in Austin, TX history, with biting winds and heavy rain. Billy from iTalkBB Austin wrote after the event: "I doubted anyone would show up in this weather. But they came - so many of them." He witnessed a girl who had lost her leg to cancer complete the entire 5km walk. "By the end, I was truly moved," Billy shared. "I didn't know what to expect when I came, or even if I should be here. But finishing the walk left me fulfilled, inspired, and deeply aware of our responsibility. Thank you iTalkBB for organizing our participation in such a meaningful community event."

There were many such stories of people inspiring each other in different ways.

iTalkBB CEO Jay Zhao announced the company would match all employee donations dollar-for-dollar, effectively doubling contributions. By event's end, iTalkBB had raised over $19,000, becoming the top donor team in both Los Angeles and McLean areas, earning special recognition from St. Jude.

As one of North America's largest Chinese enterprises, iTalkBB has consistently engaged in philanthropy - from supporting victims of the 2007 San Diego wildfires and 2008 Sichuan earthquake, funding Chinese schools across the U.S., co-hosting a 2010 charity banquet with the Yao Ming Foundation for Qinghai earthquake relief, to 2013 Ya'an earthquake aid and now this St. Jude fundraiser. Through concrete actions, iTalkBB continues to embody its corporate philosophy: "Together, we make a difference."

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