Julie Locke Moore is founder and director of the Dax Foundation, which helps the families of patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as well as other families in need. She founded the organization in 2010 to honor her son, Dax Ryan Locke, with an initial goal to raise $1.6 million—enough to run the hospital for one day. She began by organizing small fundraisers and building her connections in the community, ultimately meeting this initial goal. Today, the organization serves hundreds of families each year through a range of activities and initiatives.
Under Moore’s leadership, the Dax Foundation has consistently funded the operating costs of Camp Hope, hosting more than 150 campers annually at no cost over the last seven years. The week-long summer camp allows children who have been diagnosed with cancer or other blood disorders to safely participate in a variety of activities while being monitored by medical professionals.
She also helped spearhead efforts to bring a Ronald McDonald House to Peoria and has been instrumental in every aspect of the project since its inception. She has co-chaired its capital campaign for more than two years and served on multiple committees, from marketing to in-kind donations to community engagement. She regularly meets with volunteers, sponsors, donors and other stakeholders, helps organize fundraising events, and serves on the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois Board of Directors.
Moore also oversees the Dax Foundation’s support for the Peoria Ronald McDonald House, including a $1 million pledge to build a “Dax Wing” for children with compromised immune systems. The wing is lined with “First Responders Hero Rooms,” uniquely designed to encourage and uplift families whose children are experiencing medical difficulties. Her compassionate and caring leadership was recognized by The Lifetime Network in 2015 through its Remarkable Women campaign, which honors extraordinary women who inspire and empower others to make a difference in their communities and the world. PM
