RA Sushi Raised More than $218,000 During Seventh Annual Nicky’s Week

Scottsdale-based RA Sushi Bar Restaurant's seventh annual "Nicky's Week" fundraiser raised $218,825 for the internationally renowned St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®. All 25 RA Sushi locations nationwide participated in the fundraiser from May 29 to June 4.

RA Sushi has raised more than $943,000 for St. Jude since initiating Nicky's Week in 2005, and the company far exceeded the 2011 goal of $125,000 by raising more than $218,000 this year. During Nicky’s Week, RA Sushi donated 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of Edamame, Tootsy Maki, Shrimp Nigiri, Pork Gyoza, Tuna Tataki, Chicken Yakitori, FIJI, The Republic of Tea, and other select beverages to assist with research and treatment for the children of St. Jude, one of the world’s premier pediatric cancer research centers.

The weeklong fundraiser was developed in memory of longtime St. Jude patient Nicholas "Nicky" Mailliard who lost a long battle with brain cancer in February 2005. The nephew of RA Sushi Co-Founder Rich Howland, Nicky held a special place in the hearts of RA associates throughout the organization. The restaurant developed this annual benefit to honor Nicky and further support the exceptional care provided to all families receiving treatment at St. Jude.
"Nicky's Week has a profound impact on our internal team every year. It feels great to raise money and help increase awareness of St. Jude's mission and their promise that no child is ever denied treatment because of a family’s inability to pay," said Scott Kilpatrick, co-founder and vice president of RA Sushi. "It was incredible to see people in our community join us in supporting St. Jude by ordering from the Nicky's Week menu."

Nicky’s Week sponsors include FIJI, The Republic of Tea and Shirakiku.

About RA Sushi

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant, an upbeat, unconventional sushi bar, opened its first location in Scottsdale, Ariz. in October 1997. RA is best known for successfully combining distinctive sushi with a trendy, hip atmosphere. Fresh sushi is served to order along with outstanding Japanese fusion cuisine in a fun, lively environment. The result is a place that is both unpretentious and fashionable. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner and bar hours vary per location. Happy Hour food and beverage specials are offered Monday through Saturday, 3 to 7 p.m.

RA has 25 locations across the country. Enjoy RA Sushi in Arizona (Ahwatukee, Mesa, North Scottsdale, South Scottsdale, Tempe and Tucson); California (Chino Hills, Corona, Huntington Beach, San Diego, Torrance and Tustin); Florida (Palm Beach Gardens, Pembroke Pines and South Miami); Georgia (Atlanta); Illinois (Chicago, Glenview and Lombard); Kansas (Leawood); Maryland (Baltimore); Nevada (Las Vegas); and Texas (two Houston locations and Plano). Look for RA on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, and check-in at RA Sushi on Foursquare. For more information 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. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. 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 is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, go to www.stjude.org and follow St. Jude on www.facebook.com/stjude and www.twitter.com/stjude.