Ryan Trahan smashes records by raising $5M for charity in viral 50 States in 50 Days YouTube challenge

YouTube’s favorite adventurer Ryan Trahan is making history not just with miles traveled, but lives touched. What began as a personal mission to visit all 50 U.S. states in just 50 days has exploded into a nationwide fundraising phenomenon.

As of Day 35, Trahan has raised over $5 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and he's not done yet.

36 states down, millions raised, and still rolling

On June 10, 2025, Ryan Trahan kicked off his most ambitious challenge yet: visit all 50 U.S. states in 50 days with his wife, Haley, while raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The original goal? A modest-sounding $1 million.

Fast-forward just 35 days and that number’s been obliterated. Trahan’s challenge just crossed $5 million in donations—and there's still nearly two weeks left on the clock.

From $1 million to $6 million: how the goal kept growing

Initially, the challenge was simple: 50 days, 50 states, $1 million. But as donations poured in, the internet decided it wasn't going to settle for anything average. The total surged past $2 million. Then $3 million. Then $4. And now, Ryan’s bumped the goal up to $6 million, with supporters confident he’ll hit it before the final state line.His daily uploads showcase more than just travel; it’s chaos, laughs, exhaustion, and the kind of optimism only Ryan can pull off while sleeping in a missile silo or spinning a "Wheel of Doom" at the drop of a $50,000 donation.

The “Wheel of Doom” adds viral spice

No fundraiser is complete without a little chaos, and Ryan delivered. For every $50,000 raised, the couple spin the infamous Wheel of Doom, unleashing bizarre punishments or challenges in the next state.Some highlights? Trying not to speak for 24 hours. Wearing mismatched shoes all day. Cooking breakfast blindfolded. With creators like MrBeast, Mark Rober, and Doctor Mike joining in to spin the wheel remotely, it’s become part of the challenge’s DNA.

Two weeks to go. One mission left.

With 36 states down and the Pacific Northwest stretch remaining, Trahan’s $6 million stretch goal feels within reach. The only question left is: how high can this thing go?Ryan Trahan isn’t just traveling across America. He’s inspiring it.And the road trip? That’s just the setting. The real story is unfolding in the comment sections, the donor names, and the lives being changed.