In February 1962, when Danny Thomas opened the doors of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for the first time, he was surrounded by children.
They had different racial and ethnic backgrounds. They came from different financial circumstances and practiced different religions. And absolutely none of that would matter if they needed to be treated at St. Jude.
This was Danny’s promise — that a child’s race or creed, or the amount of money their family had in a bank account, would not determine if that child could be treated at St. Jude. And once accepted as a patient, their family would never receive a bill from St. Jude for anything.
This month we celebrate the anniversary of the opening of St. Jude — and a promise kept by each and every one of you who are so passionately committed to our mission.
Danny Thomas believed that no child should be turned away because of their race or creed or how much money their family had in their bank account
Our donors and volunteers are truly the lifeblood of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Without your generosity and dedication, St. Jude could not provide treatment or support the needs of our patient families without charging them.
St. Jude would not be able to pursue the research that has led to an overall survival rate of more than 80% for childhood cancer in this country.
If you did not support St. Jude, we would not have the resources or the confidence to embark on a multi-billion dollar expansion plan that will mean new research and clinical care facilities, housing for more patients and a global initiative that will help children all over the world.
Danny’s guiding belief in building a research hospital that would take on cancer and other life-threatening childhood diseases was that “no child should die in the dawn of life.”
Danny Thomas and his daughter, Marlo Thomas, with a patient
And Danny meant just that — no child, no matter their race or their creed or their finances. And no matter where they happened to live.
There are few words as devastating as those that tell parents their child has cancer. And yet this year, between 180,000 and 240,000 children around the world will be diagnosed with cancer.
For many of them today, it might as well be 1962, the year St. Jude opened, because they will not have access to adequate diagnosis and care.
Even in our own country — with a survival rate of more than 80% — 1 in 5 children diagnosed with cancer will not survive.
This is what your support of St. Jude means — hope for families who had none, research and treatment that is advancing cures for childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases, and a chance for children diagnosed with these diseases to survive and grow up.
You are the keepers of Danny’s promise. Thank you.
You, too, can make a difference for St. Jude kids.
Read more inspiring stories
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Do what you put your mind to
Tangie Thomas, VP of Clinical Operations, talks about persistence and motivation in her career.
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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.
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Moving science forward
Inspired by female scientists, Shondra Miller, PhD, is focused on pushing science’s boundaries.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
