Support St. Jude With a Super Bowl Party

Here's the thing about Super Bowl parties -- they can feel a bit self-indulgent. And no, we don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. There's nothing wrong with inviting your friends over to eat a ton of yummy food and get rowdy over a football game you may or may not actually care about. It's fun! But wouldn't it be even better if, in addition to having fun, you could also support a great cause?

You can! By hosting a Game Day. Give Back. party, you and your friends can support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, helping children like Markell beat cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

Who is Markell?
Who is Markell, you ask? Let us introduce you. Markell is a typical 11-year-old boy who loves basketball and football. In 2009, Markell began experiencing pain in his leg, which was originally diagnosed as arthritis. When his mother noticed swelling in his knee, she took him to the emergency room; when an X-ray revealed a tumor near his knee, Markell was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. From there, Markell went to St. Jude's for treatment.

After 35 weeks of chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumor in his knee (which included a prosthesis that replaced his diseased bone), things are really looking up for Markell. Not only is he recovering, but he's also beating former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw in a friendly competition to see who can pick the most NFL winners this season -- something not many 11-year-olds can boast.

St. Jude and the FOX Sports Team
Clearly, the doctors and staff at St. Jude have worked wonders on Markell, but there's another team that's working hard for Markell and the other children at the hospital: The FOX Sports team, which is helping raise funds for St. Jude through a recent PSA. It was during the filming of that PSA that Markell and Bradshaw met and formed an instant connection, sparking a friendship that's still going strong.

How you can help with Game Day. Give Back.
Markell is just one of the many kids helped by St. Jude's. And now you can help, too: The Game Day. Give Back. program allows you to support St. Jude by holding a Super Bowl party (either a real one or a virtual party) or by attending one (again, either real or virtual).

A number of restaurants are participating, but if you feel like hosting your own, you can get all the information and help you need -- recipes, posters, party gifts and more -- on St. Jude's website.

Pro tips for a great Super Bowl party
What makes for a great Super Bowl party? We asked members of the FOX Sports team for their top tips. Because if anyone knows how to make a Super Bowl special, it's these guys.

Troy Aikman: "Treat it like an unofficial holiday!"
Terry Bradshaw: "Make sure you have lots of games like playing horseshoes, tons of card games, a lot of pool and shuffle board."
Joe Buck: "Watch the game with your kids, it's the best way to enjoy the game."
Jay Glazer: "Make sure you invite a long list of friends and family members. The biggest parties are the best!"
Jimmy Johnson: "Keep it simple and don't go overboard."
Howie Long: "Try to keep the neighbors from finding out so you don't have unexpected guests!"
Curt Menefee: "For those with good weather, make it an outdoor party, fire up the grill and enjoy the game with friends and family."
Pam Oliver: "Make sure you have a big variety of food and make sure you're up on your 'football speak' before the game."
Michael Strahan: "Head out to a local restaurant where you can watch the game and relax with a group of friends."

Need more ideas for a super Super Bowl blowout? Holidash has got you covered with our Big Game party tips. And get Super Bowl game predictions from Texans' Jarvis Green and Mavericks' Caron Butler.