FedEx St. Jude's Purple Eagle Ceremony Honors Sickle Cell Patient

A Special Ceremony at the FedEx St. Jude's Championship

On the day before the opening of the FedEx St. Jude's Championship, a unique event took place that brought together fans, employees, and families in a celebration of hope and resilience. A group of people gathered around a FedEx feeder plane on the green at TPC Southwind, where the Purple Eagle Ceremony was held. Under shaded awnings in the sweltering Memphis heat, attendees fanned themselves as they eagerly awaited the start of the ceremony.

When this year’s honoree, 8-year-old Bailey Jackson, took the stage, she performed a roundoff that sparked cheers and applause from the crowd. Her family sat proudly in the front row, smiling widely as they captured the moment on their cell phone cameras.

This ceremony marks the 13th consecutive year that the FedEx St. Jude's Championship has honored a St. Jude patient whose parent or grandparent is a FedEx employee. For Bailey, the recognition came after being diagnosed with sickle cell disease at birth and starting her treatment at St. Jude shortly after. Her father, Tony Jackson, expressed deep gratitude toward the hospital for the support they provided his family.

“They made it so comfortable for us,” Tony Jackson said. “It was hard news to get, but by the time we got there and they explained to us the process and everything, we felt a lot better about it. They do a very good job. It does not feel like a hospital at all.”

Bailey was nominated by her grandmother, Grenda Poole, who has been a FedEx team member for 19 years. Poole is thrilled that her granddaughter is this year’s honoree.

“To be given the opportunity to have Bailey's name on the FedEx plane truly has me smiling from ear to ear and proud to say, 'I am FedEx' and, 'Go Team Bailey,'” Poole said in a statement.

The Purple Eagle Ceremony has become an integral part of the FedEx St. Jude's Championship, symbolizing the partnership between FedEx and St. Jude to fight pediatric cancers. ALSAC CEO and president Ike Anand emphasized the significance of the event.

“It is a true honor to be celebrating Bailey here today, but this ceremony is more than just naming of an airplane,” Anand said. “This ceremony is a symbol of a partnership between FedEx and St. Jude to eradicate the world of pediatric cancers. This airplane behind me is that symbol of that partnership. It shows when two great organizations get together to deliver a common purpose, miracles can happen, and that common purpose is the delivery of hope.”

For Tony Jackson, the experience of seeing his daughter honored is overwhelming. He expressed deep appreciation for the support his family has received from St. Jude throughout Bailey’s journey.

“It's an amazing feeling,” Jackson said. “It's such a blessing that the two biggest companies here in the Mid South coming together for one goal, and that one goal is just to provide life and care and funds for kids, just to help them grow up and be strong and just trying to save lives.”

Bailey’s story is a positive one. To date, she has not experienced a sickle cell crisis, and her family credits much of this success to the care and medicine provided by St. Jude. The Jackson family remains grateful for the ongoing support and donations that help children like Bailey receive the care they need.

“We have been very fortunate and blessed to not have to go on the other side of the table, but we're just thankful for everybody for all their donations and what they do and just please keep doing what you do,” Jackson added.