Founded by entertainer Danny Thomas in 1957, its purpose is exclusively to raise funds for and awareness of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

[1] ALSAC is the largest healthcare-related charity in the United States and raises 87% of St. Jude's annual operating budget from private donors.

[4][5] As of 2021, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital costs nearly $1.7 billion per year to run, and donations provide an estimated 87% of those funds.

The campaign has been is supported by network television spots, advertisements in major publications, featured content on The Today Show, and movie trailers.

The mission raised more than $240 million for St. Jude, which was its sole charitable beneficiary, and the crew included a stuffed puppy toy modeled after two service dogs at St.