Sofía Vergara returns for the October 2026 launch of the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign, having supported it for 15 years; the hospital says its research has helped increase the US childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80%

Few holiday campaigns keep the same faces on screen for long, and Sofía Vergara is one of the exceptions. It has been 15 years since she joined the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign, which is now in its 23rd year. She returns alongside Drew Barrymore, Luis Fonsi, Jon Hamm and Michael Strahan, all longtime supporters who are encouraging people to give through online donations and in-store purchases. The annual holiday fundraising initiative supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by raising funds for childhood cancer research and cures, as well as other life-threatening diseases. It also provides medical care to children battling these illnesses and supports patients and their families throughout the recovery process.How Sofía Vergara supports the causeActress Sofía Vergara has supported the holiday campaign for 15 years and is returning for its October 2026 launch. She calls it an honour to be part of the campaign. “St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital continues to inspire me year after year, and I'm honoured to support the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign for the 15th year,” the Modern Family actress said in a statement.She also spoke about the impressive work carried out by the hospital. “What makes St. Jude so extraordinary is that the discoveries made here are shared to help improve care for children around the world. I'm proud to support an organisation whose impact extends far beyond its campus and reaches families across the globe.”Filming alongside patientsFor this year’s campaign, the celebrity ambassadors filmed their holiday spots alongside St. Jude patients, which the hospital says gives the campaign a more personal connection. Drew Barrymore spent time with a patient named Nova and described the experience as inspiring. "I'm honoured to support St. Jude and the incredible work it does for children facing cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Spending time with Nova and seeing her joy and determination was truly inspiring. Supporting St. Jude means helping more children pursue their dreams and create lasting memories with the people they love,” she said in a statement.Luis Fonsi said being part of the campaign constantly reminds him why the mission is crucial. He was joined by Valentina, a patient, and said her courage and smile were unforgettable. “After many years supporting St. Jude, every visit reminds me why this mission matters. It was so meaningful to visit St. Jude this year and meet patients and their families, including Valentina, who joined me in my campaign spot. Her courage and smile were unforgettable. Children like Valentina show the importance of the lifesaving research, treatment and care, and the hope St. Jude gives to families facing childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases."Michael Strahan also shared his experience of meeting patients and praised their resilience and positivity. “For the past 15 years, I’ve proudly supported St. Jude because of the meaningful difference it makes for children and their families. This year, I had the opportunity to spend time with Dominic, Brooke and Nico, and their resilience and positivity truly inspired me. I’m honoured to support St. Jude, a place that provides exceptional care and hope to families while giving kids the opportunity to focus on what matters most: being kids.”Jon Hamm spoke about paediatric research and what keeps him committed to it. "What impresses me the most about St. Jude is its commitment to continually moving paediatric research forward. Every breakthrough brings new hope for children facing cancer and other life-threatening diseases. I am proud to support this important work and help raise awareness for St. Jude to support children and their families."Ike Anand, president and CEO of ALSAC, St. Jude’s fundraising and awareness organisation, said the annual campaign gives children and families facing serious challenges more opportunities for hope, healing and time together. “The greatest gift is time, and participation in the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign helps give children and families facing some of life's toughest challenges more opportunities for hope, healing and more moments together. For 23 years, this campaign has united supporters around a shared purpose of helping St. Jude accelerate research and treatment so more children can reach milestones, make memories and look forward to a bright future.”Donations to the research hospital come through two channels: online gifts and purchases of limited-edition products at participating retailers. The brand roster is broad. Domino’s, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Dollar General, AutoZone, Williams Sonoma, J.Crew Factory, Kia, Zales and Jared all take part, along with KAY, HomeGoods and Homesense. Each brand brings its own customers into the effort. The biggest new name is Target, which rejoins the campaign for the first time since 2013. The retailer has worked with St. Jude for nearly 30 years.St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital opened in 1962, when childhood cancer was considered largely incurable. The hospital says it has since helped increase the overall survival rate in the United States from 20% to more than 80%.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.