Letter from host Beshara Charlie Nehme


Beshara Charlie Nehme and St. Jude patient Nicholas

Beshara Charlie Nehme and St. Jude patient Nicholas

 

I want to share my experience at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with you—my family and friends—in the hopes that it will paint a picture of how amazing a place St. Jude is and inspire you to help me support this wonderful hospital.

After riding my Harley Davidson 5,671 miles in an average heat index of 98°F, I arrived at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by Nicholas, a St. Jude patient, his family and ALSAC staff members.

After a few photos with Nicholas, we walked to the Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion, which honors the life of St. Jude founder Danny Thomas, and recognizes the history of St. Jude. We then walked through the hospital. I was amazed at how child and family-friendly the hospital is. The walls are filled with colorful paintings, kids were playing video games and watching TV and a few kids were running in the hallways.

We visited the chapel, which has symbols on the entrance wall and the altar representing three of the largest religious groups in the world: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. The chapel is a welcoming place for people of all religions to go for prayer or quite contemplation.

In the Danny Thomas Research Center, where much of the research takes place, we walked under 88 flags representing the nationalities of the St. Jude staff. We then visited the cafeteria where all employees along with patients and their families dine in one area.

Later I visited one of the many research labs. I met a team of scientists who were doing research to determine the best medicine to give a patient for a particular diagnosis. That’s one of the most amazing things about St. Jude: the scientists and doctors are all under one roof.

We drove less than 10 miles from the hospital to visit Target House. This housing facility has 98 furnished apartments and provides full housing to families with children who require a stay of three months or more for treatment. Transportation to the hospital from Target House is provided at no cost to the families.

I was so inspired by my trip that I decided to hold a fundraising event this year in New York City: “A Night of Hope.”  I am excited to host this event and am honored to raise money to continue Danny’s dream that “no child should die in the dawn of life.” 

Upon returning home from my visit to the hospital, I came across a St. Jude video and the first 15 seconds is a message from Marlo Thomas and quote from her father Danny Thomas: “The takers sometimes eat better, but the givers always sleep better.”

Please join me at the “A Night of Hope” dinner. Your donation and/or sponsorship will not only be much appreciated, but it will help St. Jude continue its mission of finding cures and saving children. I promise you will not only sleep better, but you will eat better too.

Thank you,

Beshara Charlie Nehme

 


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