More than 60 years ago, a hospital opened in Memphis
The overall survival rate for childhood cancer was 20%, and hospitals were still segregated in much of the South.
With St. Jude, Danny Thomas' vision ensured that a new kind of care dawned. Children were treated regardless of their race, ethnicity beliefs or a family’s ability to pay.
American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities® (ALSAC): Raising funds and awareness for St. Jude since 1957
Danny, who was of Lebanese descent, turned to his fellow Americans of Arabic-speaking heritage when founding St. Jude. Danny believed that by supporting St. Jude, 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, before the hospital even opened, 100 representatives of the Arab-American community met in Chicago to form American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (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.
Since that day, American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities has been responsible for all of fundraising efforts for St. Jude.
Today, ALSAC operates out of 33 offices across the United States and Puerto Rico which consist of over 1,800 employees from various walks of life. They work toward one common goal: to ensure the lifesaving mission of St. Jude.
Because of ALSAC and our generous supporters, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so a family can focus on helping their child live.
Our mission goes global
Today, treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall survival rate for childhood cancer in the U.S. to more than 80%. But we can do more. In many countries, one in five children with cancer will live.
Recently, St. Jude launched a historic six-year, $12.9 billion strategic plan — in the midst of a global pandemic — that will expand patient care and accelerate research in the U.S. and globally for children with catastrophic diseases.
Every child deserves a chance to live their best life and celebrate every moment. When you support St. Jude, you can help make cures possible for kids with cancer. Together, we can save more lives.
You are part of our legacy
For more than 60 years, supporters of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have been united around one purpose: that "no child should die in the dawn of life." Treatments for pediatric cancer at St. Jude can last up to three years or more with an average cost of approximately $450,000 including travel, housing and food
Unlike other hospitals, the majority of funding for St. Jude comes from generous donors. Explore some of their stories:
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eL Seed's hopeful art finds a home at St. Jude
His artwork, incorporating Arabic calligraphy to create a message of hope, is showcased in the newly renovated Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion
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Restaurateur of Lebanese-Syrian descent inspired by Danny Thomas’ ‘unconditional love’
Lydia Massaad sees it as her mission to follow in the St. Jude founder’s footsteps, lighting his path, to share this lifesaving mission with the world.
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Inspired by his namesake, Minnesota’s Danny Thomas donates to St. Jude
The generous gift was on behalf of Thomas & Sons Construction, the family business his Lebanese immigrant dad built.
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George Jalinos: Part of his DNA
As a a member of The New York St. Jude Hope and Heritage Gala, George Jalinos is a pillar in the Lebanese Syrian community, and says it's in his DNA to support the mission of St. Jude.
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Gladys Abi-Najm: Creating a legacy of generosity through Lebanese food
Through her restaurant business, Gladys Abi-Najm has introduced Americans to the joys of Lebanese cuisine, one piece of pita bread at a time. Her family's heritage is what unites her with St. Jude.
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Inspired Questions: Nick Eh 30
YouTube and Twitch streamer Nick Eh 30 talks Lebanese food and the best Instagram accounts. Watch for a special fan cameo to close out the interview!
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Midwest Federation of American Syrian Lebanese Clubs
The Midwest Federation of American Syrian Lebanese Clubs is proud to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: Finding cures. Saving children.®
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Southern Federation of Syrian Lebanese American Clubs
The Southern Federation of Syrian Lebanese American Clubs is proud to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: Finding cures. Saving children.®
Terre, Tony and Marlo Thomas
A family's dedication
Danny's children took up the mantle after he passed away in 1991. The Thomas family has dedicated their lives to helping us continue our lifesaving mission: Finding cures. Saving children.®
Help us fulfill our lifesaving mission: Finding cures. Saving children.® Everywhere.
You might also be interested in:
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Sharing a birthday with St. Jude
Five-year-old Della will celebrate her sixth birthday on the same day St. Jude opened its doors in 1962. She wants to mark the occasion by raising money for the kids of St. Jude.
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Timeline: From Dream to Reality
Explore the scientific milestones that have marked St. Jude's progress from the beginning to present.
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St. Jude in the civil rights era
From the beginning, Danny Thomas wanted St. Jude to help all desperately ill boys and girls, regardless of a family’s race, religion or financial status.
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Our unique operating model
There are great research institutions, great hospitals and great charities — we’re all three. See how we’re funded, how our operating model works and our plans for the future.
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ALSAC Preamble
Read the preamble to the ALSAC Constitution that St. Jude and ALSAC founder Danny Thomas signed in 1957. ALSAC raises the funds and awareness for St. Jude.
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History of CEO/Directors of St. Jude
A look at the history of CEOs/Directors of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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ALSAC/ St. Jude Boards of Directors and Governors
The ALSAC/ St. Jude Boards of Directors and Governors serve without compensation and provide governance and strategic oversight for both ALSAC and St. Jude.