Billionaire raffling off spare seat on all-civilian SpaceX flight to raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s hospital
This charity effort is out-of-this-world.
Jared Isaacman, a tech entrepreneur who is also a pilot on the side, announced on Monday that he’s bankrolling Elon Musk’s SpaceX flight and using it to help raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research hospital. The 37-year-old billionaire, who’s the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, will be piloting and commanding the multi-day mission for himself and three others.
In addition to giving $100 million to the Tennessee-based medical facility, Isaacman said he’s also donating two seats on the 4-person flight to St. Jude.
Until the end of February, anyone 18 or older can go to the hospital’s website and enter for a chance to win a seat on the Inspiration 4 mission, which has tentatively been set for October. Donations are not required, though they are encouraged and those who do contribute will be up for special prizes and packages.
The winner will be chosen by random drawing on March 1.
Isaacman said he wants the initiative to help St. Jude reach $200 million in donations this year.
Since the fundraising efforts were announced on Monday, more than $1 million has poured in. Isaacman hopes they will be further fueled by a commercial aimed at raising awareness about the project, set to air during the Super Bowl over the weekend.
Richard C. Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization for St. Jude, said the money raised will go toward the Memphis hospital’s $1 billion annual operating cost, as well as its global partnership with the World Health Organization. The overarching idea is to raise childhood cancer survival rates around the world from 20% to 60% by 2030.
“We have this, big audacious goal trying to help kids all around the globe,” Shadyac said. “This big, audacious campaign is going to help fuel that.”
The two remaining seats will be filled by a health care worker at St. Jude and a business owner who uses Isaacman’s credit card company. They’re required to submit a video showcasing their business and how they utilize his technology. This winner will be selected by an independent panel of judges.
“Inspiration4 is the realization of a lifelong dream and a step towards a future in which anyone can venture out and explore the stars,” Isaacman said in a statement to ABC News. “I appreciate the tremendous responsibility that comes with commanding this mission, and I want to use this historic moment to inspire humanity while helping to tackle childhood cancer here on Earth.”
With News Wire Services
