Customer purchases and private donations drive weeklong fundraiser

RA Sushi's third national fundraiser that included all 13 of the company's restaurants raised more than $102,650 with its weeklong program called "Nicky's Week," benefiting the internationally recognized St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. RA Sushi's location at Downtown at the Gardens contributed $5,576 in proceeds to the national total.

From May 27 to June 2, the restaurant and bar, which is headquartered in Phoenix, donated 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the signature tootsy maki, edamame, pork gyoza, FIJI Water, Red Bull, and other selected beverages to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

RA Sushi locations in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Nevada and Texas participated in the fundraiser. Nicky's Week culminated on June 2 with a special silent auction to benefit St. Jude.

The fundraiser was developed in memory of longtime St. Jude patient Nicholas "Nicky" Mailliard, who died February 2005 after a long battle with brain cancer. A nephew of one of RA's founders, Rich Howland, Nicky held a special place in the hearts of RA associates throughout the organization. RA initiated the fundraiser in honor of Nicky as a way to further promote the exceptional attention and support provided at no cost to families and children receiving care at St. Jude.

"St. Jude played a critical role during Nicky's illness by providing state-of-the-art care and by keeping our family informed," said Scott Kilpatrick, who is one of the founders and current Vice President of RA. "St. Jude is an incredible organization with an important mission, and we want to help ensure that its services remain available to children and families battling serious illness."

RA Sushi has raised more than $150,000 for the national children's hospital since 2005, and the goal - which was successfully met - was to raise an additional $100,000 this year. All donations help pay for the development of treatment and cures for diseases such as brain tumors, leukemia, childhood HIV, and other life threatening illnesses in children.

About RA Sushi
RA Sushi is located at Downtown at the Gardens, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue (next door to the Yard House). Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner from 3 p.m. - Midnight. Happy hour food and beverage specials are offered Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and the bar remains open until 1am. RA Sushi's Flying Fish Lounge is the perfect place to catch some fresh fish and great drink specials. Sunday nights from 8pm to Midnight, RA goers visiting the Flying Fish Lounge will find happy hour special prices on sushi and drinks. For more information, please call 561.340.2112 or visit RA online at www.rasushi.com.

About St. Jude
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude treats children from Arizona, across the United States and around the world at no cost to their families. For more information about St. Jude, please visit www.stjude.org.