The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.
Seeking treatment?
Our approach makes us different from most children’s hospitals. Learn more about seeking treatment for your child at St. Jude.
Our history
Founder and entertainer Danny Thomas opened the doors to St. Jude in 1962 with the dream that “no child should die in the dawn of life."
Why support us?
Unlike any other hospital, the majority of our funding comes from individual contributions. And thanks to generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude.
No child should die in the dawn of life.
Cost to family: $0
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
Saving kids worldwide
St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and from around the world.
Our goal: 100% survival
Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since it opened more than 50 years ago.
Our stories
Meet our patients, families, supporters, and staff and experience the innovative research, pioneering treatments and inspirational stories that happen at St. Jude every day. Experience our stories.
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Longtime employee shares story of personal, family military service
Seven years of U.S. Navy service helped prepare veteran Yvonne Carroll for her role as director of hematology patient services. Read her story.
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St. Jude talent experience advisor extends hospitality to job candidates and their families
From hospitality to human resources: Linda Smith of Human Resources changed careers to help St. Jude advance its mission.
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Respiratory therapists are vital part of patient care
Respiratory therapists are emergency responders who assist patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders. Learn more about their role
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Meet Emma
Emma is a 12-year-old girl who enjoys sports and riding four-wheelers with her twin brother. After defeating brain cancer, she can continue doing everything she loves.
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Life after St. Jude: Hoop Dreams
Simon Stacy overcomes the eye cancer retinoblastoma to play basketball in high school and possibly college.
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Global Child Health: Spreading Knowledge, Saving Children
A unique Master of Science in Global Child Health trains health care professionals around the world. This program incorporates the world-renowned faculty of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences with the expertise of faculty in Global Pediatric Medicine.
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St. Jude LIFE Celebrates Milestone
By studying CD8+ T cells, scientists harness the power of the immune system to treat cancer. The researchers challenge the notion that cancer cells must contain multiple mutations to prompt an immune response.
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Together: Powered by St. Jude
A new online resource brings families and St. Jude experts together to face pediatric cancer.
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Where Leukemia Hides, the Immune System Seeks
Research challenges the notion that cancer cells must contain multiple mutations to prompt an immune response.
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Half-Matched Transplants, Whole Hope for Cures
A new study for half-matched transplants aims to cure high-risk blood cancers. The HAP2HCT clinical trial aims to kill remaining cancer cells, reduce the risk of GVHD and help patients’ immune systems recover quickly.
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Blue-Sky Projects Accelerate Progress
St. Jude identifies and pursues bold new projects that could transform science and medicine.
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The future is today
ALSAC President and CEO, Richard C. Shadyac Jr., remembers the advances made throughout the 50+ year history of St. Jude, and the incredible discoveries yet to be made.
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It's a BRAVE New World for Mobility
The new BRAVE (Beginning Restorative Activities Very Early) program seeks to help mobilized patients as soon as possible to decrease their time in the pediatric intensive care unit and reduce delirium and ventilation time.
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St. Jude employee’s journey inspires new adoption benefit
With the help of the St. Jude Adoption Assistance Program, Child Life specialist Ashley Carr adopted her daughter, Nora, in 2017.
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Physician assistant helps teen sickle cell patients navigate through treatment
Paul Lavoie helps prepare sickle cell patients for the transition to adult care. Learn why his role is important to patients’ long-term health.