Strava challenges are dynamic and community-driven events that provide an opportunity for athletes and fitness enthusiasts to come together and push their limits while supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. By participating in a Strava challenge that benefits St. Jude, athletes not only challenge themselves physically but also contribute to the lifesaving work of this renowned institution.

By participating, athletes play a crucial role in raising awareness and much-needed funds, enabling the hospital to continue its mission of finding cures and saving children's lives.

These badge illustrations took on an unique process. The Strava Challenge initiative was fueled by a single employee’s grit and determination to tap into a new audience through an established platform where the the target user is already familiar.

They provided the essence of each challenge and I translated it into an eye-catching design. We collaborated closely on each challenge campaign, brainstorming challenge names, color palette choices, and symbolism behind each badge.

St. Jude aims to reach global audiences, and each challenge generated an unprecedented amount of international leads that were already familiar with and interested in supporting the iconic institution.

In the U.S., more than 4 out of 5 children survive cancer, but in many developing countries this statistic is reversed – fewer than 1 out of 5 children diagnosed with cancer will live. 

This September, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, log 400 minutes of activity – representing the 400,000 children worldwide diagnosed with cancer each year. 

Looking to make a bigger impact? Join the Strava St. Jude virtual fundraising team or make a donation in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Push yourself in honor of all the kids who are in the fight of their lives.

Every time you log your minutes is an opportunity to spread the word to your friends and family that you’re going the extra mile for the kids at St. Jude. Connect with fellow St. Jude Run Club members and post photos using @StJude and #ForStJude.

Because the challenge was open to any activity, we chose a gold medal ribbon to avoid excluding a specific activity through the design.

Inspired by the season of giving, join the St. Jude “Remember Your Why” challenge to give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not. Your monthly donation of $19 will support our mission and you’ll receive an exclusive St. Jude “We Won’t Stop” T-shirt. We’ve come a long way, but one in five children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. won’t survive and this is not acceptable. Donate now. 

This December log 5 hours of any activity to celebrate and share your “Why”. All athletes who complete the challenge will earn a finisher's badge and a St. Jude sticker pack. All US finishers 18+ can enter a sweepstakes where (5) finishers will receive an American Airlines voucher for 10k miles and (3) lucky finishers will win Garmin Forerunner ® 745 watches. 

Join the St. Jude Run Club to get inspired with stories about resilience, perseverance and determination from patients, donors and supporters who hold St. Jude's mission dear and help make all the life-saving research and treatment possible. We Won’t Stop until no child dies from cancer.

Design considerations

We found the previous badge’s motif to be a little too on the nose, so we opted for the Garmin Forerunner smartwatch prize as the primary element. The stars represent the 1 out of 5 children diagnosed that do not survive the battle with cancer. 

When Danny Thomas founded St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® in 1962, he proved that united, we can do great things. Over the past 60 years, St. Jude has grown in size and capabilities for one special reason: we believe that children all over the world deserve the same chance at survival. 

Danny’s purpose is ours, uniting people everywhere around our mission: Finding cures. Saving children.® In celebration of our 60th anniversary, you can get active with a purpose and help us keep Danny’s vision alive.

Here's how:

Once you’ve joined the challenge, commit to getting active for 20 minutes 3x a week – that’s 60 minutes a week! Then, donate or make an even bigger impact and start your own fundraising page and raise $250 to earn a custom St. Jude Driptowel® set. A $60 donation could help St. Jude provide three sets of rehabilitation weights to improve patients' quality of life.

Every activity counts, so get active doing what you love, and turn your workouts into something even more meaningful. Complete the challenge, and you’ll get a St. Jude digital badge, 20% off the St. Jude Gift Shop, and a chance to win a Garmin Forerunner® 745 and one of five Therabody Theragun mini’s.

St. Jude 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% to more than 80% since it opened more 60 years ago. Click here to set up a fundraising page or donate today.

Design considerations

Honoring St. Jude’s 60th anniversary, this challenge’s theme was the number 60. Displayed front and center, the number makes an immediate connection to the organization’s milestone. The stars tie in the 60th anniversary campaign visuals, and the color palette was limited to the primary colors of the brand: red, white, and gray.

Ready to help fight childhood cancer while challenging yourself to reach your personal best? Join the St. Jude 500 Challenge in support of the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®.

Around the world, more than 90% of children with cancer live in low and middle-income countries. While treatments invented at St. Jude have helped increase the overall childhood cancer survival rate in the United States, children in developing countries face a different reality: four in five children will not survive. Limited access to high-quality, affordable medicines and the financial burden of research and care are hallmarks of the childhood cancer challenge many developing countries face. 

It’s why St. Jude has a goal of raising global survival rates for six of the most common types of childhood cancer from less than 20 percent to 60 percent by 2030. You can play a vital role in helping St. Jude save children everywhere; here’s how it works:

Pick any Activity! For this challenge, you call the shots. Go with your favorite workout or maybe try something new? It’s up to you!

Go the Distance! This June, complete 500 minutes of activity and use your fitness goals for a greater purpose by supporting the lifesaving mission of St. Jude – Finding cures. Saving children®

Donate! Every $5 you donate is one virtual high five for the kids. Let’s come together and unite as one and with your help we can reach our goal of 5,000 virtual high fives for the kids of St. Jude. 

St. Jude won’t stop until no child – anywhere – dies from cancer. Donate today.

Design considerations

This badge keeps it simple, with the primary colors restriction in place and brings back the 1 in 5 global survival rate statistic that St. Jude is tirelessly working to reverse. The hero of the design is the patient art rainbow hand, carrying the connection to the survival rate and infusing it with a rainbow of hope.