At the start of a new year, as I reflect on the achievements of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 2016 and look ahead to the promise of 2017, I'm reminded once again that fulfilling our mission is only possible with support from friends like you.
In the last year, our scientists and doctors continued to lead the fight against childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases, with new discoveries that could improve treatment for certain leukemias and brain tumors. Our patient care remained unparalleled with the opening of three remarkable new inpatient floors in the Kay Research and Care Center at St. Jude, designed completely with our families in mind. The care and creativity involved in planning these floors can be seen in the colorful, interactive and comfortable space that puts the needs of patients and families first.
On a more personal level, this past year marked incredible rites of passage for many of our patients, whether they were graduating from kindergarten or attending their first prom. We welcomed St. Jude survivors back to campus, as we do every year, to celebrate their lives with our wonderful Survivors Day event. We also joined St. Jude patients like Shon in recognizing personal milestones. We’ll never forget the night that Shon’s lifelong dream came true — and he returned to St. Jude to hear his name called in the draft of the National Football League.
Looking ahead to 2017 emphasizes how important the contributions of all of our donors and volunteers are to these accomplishments. It will cost nearly $1 billion to operate St. Jude this year, and more than 75 percent of that cost is covered by individual contributions produced by our fundraising programs. Every contribution counts as St. Jude makes progress in its bold vision to double the number of children in St. Jude-led clinical trials and expand the number of new cancer patients treated at St. Jude by 20 percent over the next several years.
As we begin this new year, I challenge all of us to take stock of our opportunities to touch the lives of others and resolve to use this year to make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.
Perhaps you can make this the year you become a St. Jude Hero and raise funds and awareness for our work while participating in a half marathon, marathon or other fitness event. Or you can become a St. Jude Partner In Hope and pledge monthly support to St. Jude. No matter what your resolution is, you will make a real difference in the lives of St. Jude kids because dedicated donors and volunteers are the lifeblood of our mission: Finding cures. Saving children.®
On behalf of all the patients, families and staff of St. Jude, thank you for your commitment and best wishes for a blessed and happy New Year.
You, too, can make a difference for St. Jude kids.
-
Working together: Mother and daughter nurses bond at St. Jude
In observance of Mother’s Day May 13 and National Nurses Week May 6–12, St. Jude nurses Margie and Kallen Kjellin share their story.
-
Administrative professionals provide dedicated support to St. Jude departments
The more than 150 administrative professionals at St. Jude offer unparalleled support to keep their departments running smoothly. Three longtime admins share their stories.
-
Wrestling for a cure
One small community of wrestlers in Springfield, Ill., is showing that their hearts are bigger than their muscles, and they’re putting them to good use raising funds for St. Jude.
-
St. Jude soul sisters
When four mothers learned that their children had been diagnosed with cancer, they found hope in each other and in St. Jude, the hospital that worked to save their children's lives.
-
MRI technologist is inspired throughout career at St. Jude
With a strong support system of women in her life, Mary Jo Freeman has advanced from a hopeful student to a seasoned MRI specialist. Find out about her journey at St. Jude.
-
Dr. Sheila Moore on breaking barriers and giving back
Sheila Moore, MD, began her medical career at a time when men dominated the field. More than five decades later, she reflects on her barrier-breaking career as a pediatric hematologist-oncologist in the South.
-
Do what you put your mind to
Tangie Thomas, VP of Clinical Operations, talks about persistence and motivation in her career.
-
Losing my best friend to cancer led me to a career in science
Research Tech Hailey Skonhovd honors her childhood friend’s memory by pursuing a scientific career.
-
Moving science forward
Inspired by female scientists, Shondra Miller, PhD, is focused on pushing science’s boundaries.
-
A volunteer for life
2017 Volunteer of the Year Award winner Eddie Ramos has devoted countless hours to continuing the lifesaving mission of St. Jude.
-
In this together
Thirteen St. Jude Heroes® are in step with the most compelling reasons — they'll run for St. Jude kids at the 2018 Boston Marathon.
-
St. Jude signs on as Seattle race title sponsor
For the 2018 Seattle Marathon, runners will have even more of a reason to run their hearts out, namely for the kids of St. Jude.
-
Riding for a reason: From St. Jude supporter to St. Jude mom
Cycle instructor Jamie rallied to raise funds for St. Jude, not knowing her daughter would soon become a patient.
-
Operation Bunny Hop
Jen Clark created a sweet surprise for St. Jude kids — a very special delivery of 550 Easter baskets — to share the springtime hoppy-ness.
-
St. Jude Spirit of the Dream celebrates Dr. King’s legacy
St. Jude Spirit of the Dream celebrated Black History Month, and commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike that brought Dr. King to Memphis.
