After deciding to build St. Jude, founder and entertainer Danny Thomas, who was of Lebanese descent, turned to his fellow Americans of Arabic-speaking heritage to plan for the funding of the hospital's founding and operation.
Danny believed that by supporting his dream, this group of Americans could thank the United States for the gift of freedom given to their parents while honoring their forefathers who’d immigrated to America.
In 1957, five years before the hospital opened, 100 representatives of the Arab-American community met in Chicago to form American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, better known as ALSAC, with a sole purpose of raising funds for the support of St. Jude. These 100 Arab-Americans and their families are forever known as the original founding families of St. Jude.
Support of St. Jude is a family legacy
St. Jude patient James' great-great-grandfather was a prominent member of ALSAC in its early days of raising funds and the first of several generations of his family who have supported St. Jude.
What does ALSAC do?
ALSAC has evolved to operate with more than 1,800 employees from all walks of life, and it has been responsible for all of the fundraising and awareness efforts for St. Jude since its beginnings. ALSAC headquarters is located on the St. Jude campus in Memphis, Tennessee, and it has offices throughout the United States.
ALSAC continues to honor its heritage by working with St. Jude toward one common goal — to ensure our lifesaving mission: Finding cures. Saving children.®
How does ALSAC honor its Arab-American heritage?
Danny Thomas ALSAC Pavillion
The life of Danny Thomas and history of ALSAC and St. Jude are commemorated in the Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion on the St. Jude campus.
Arab American Heritage Month
During Arab American Heritage month, we honor those who share the heritage of our founder, Danny Thomas.
ALSAC and the St. Jude Board of Directors
Many of the ALSAC and St. Jude Board of Governors are of Arab-American heritage.
Founder's Day
On Feb. 4 we celebrate Danny Thomas, founder of St. Jude, and the hospital's opening.
Attend a charity event celebrating Arab-American heritage
How does St. Jude use the funds raised?
St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Our generous donors make groundbreaking research and our patient care possible.
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was considered largely incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80%, and we won't stop until no child dies from cancer.
St. Jude and the World Health Organization are joining forces to raise the global survival rate from 20 percent to 60 percent by 2030, because no child - anywhere - should die from cancer.
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