At Kay-Twelve, we often talk about what it means to be Radically Student Centered™ — to put the needs of students and their communities at the heart of every decision we make. While our day-to-day work focuses on designing learning environments that support collaboration, creativity, and comfort, we also know that creating a better future for kids goes far beyond the classroom.
That’s why a recent campaign caught our attention…
This summer, YouTuber Ryan Trahan launched an ambitious and heartfelt project: visiting 50 states in 50 days while raising funds and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. His “Million Dollar Road Trip” blends creativity, chaos, and compassion in a way that’s captured millions of viewers, and rallied support for families going through the unimaginable.
We’re proud to share that Kay-Twelve made a donation that activated the Wheel of Doom, supporting the larger “50 States in 50 Days” campaign and helping Ryan reach his $1 million fundraising goal.
Now, with over $1 million raised for the foundation, Ryan has upped the challenge and is telling viewers that if $2 million is raised, then he will let his viewers vote on the next challenge before they finish 50 States in 50 Days!
“Families never get a bill from St. Jude — not for treatment, travel, housing, or food. And in the most stressful time of a family’s life, there’s nothing better than having that burden taken care of by people they can trust.”
In Day 15 of the series, Ryan and his wife Haley were on a 12-hour road trip from the Alabama Storybook Castle to a container Airbnb in St. Augustine, Florida. That’s when the Double Doom hit. First, Dhar Mann Studios donated $50,003 to St. Jude, triggering the “Running on Fumes” challenge, forcing them to keep driving until the gas tank read “empty.”
Just minutes later, our Kay-Twelve donation activated the Wheel of Doom again. This time, Ryan landed on “Airplane Mode”, meaning they had to complete the rest of their day without the help of their phones.
This campaign reflects something we believe to our core: that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. Whether that’s through safe, flexible learning spaces or by supporting organizations like St. Jude that remove life’s biggest barriers, we’re committed to showing up with purpose.
We exist to help schools create spaces where students thrive – physically, emotionally, and academically. Our team partners with school leaders, architects, and communities across the country to design learning environments that support student success. Whether it’s reimagining a single classroom or furnishing an entire campus, our work is always driven by one clear purpose: to positively impact 10,000,000 student lives.
We know that learning doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and that challenges in a child’s life often extend far beyond school walls. That’s why this campaign resonated so deeply with us. It reflects something we believe to our core: that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, no matter the obstacles in their way.
Supporting St. Jude and their commitment to removing financial and emotional burdens for families during their most difficult moments is one small way we can live out our mission beyond the classroom. Because creating better futures doesn’t just happen inside schools, it happens wherever compassion and community meet action.
Watch the Kay-Twelve Wheel of Doom Moment
We’re excited to have been featured in Day 15 of Ryan’s Million Dollar Road Trip series and you can now watch the episode! Our donation triggered the second Wheel of Doom spin of the day, and let’s just say… navigating without phones made for a pretty unforgettable challenge.
Want to learn more or get involved? 👉 https://50-states-in-50-days.experience.stjude.org
Check out more from Kay-Twelve 👉 https://kay-twelve.com/
Tune into our podcast, Better Learning 👉 https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/