As I reflect back on the achievements of 2017 and welcome the promise of a new year, I am reminded that the critical work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is only possible because of the caring hearts and compassion of all of you who support our mission.
It is because of your generosity that we have the resources to continue to learn more about some of the most aggressive forms of childhood cancer — knowledge that could lead to more and better treatments for these diseases.
It is because of your compassion that we can continue our founder’s promise that no family will receive a bill from St. Jude for anything — not for treatment for their child and not for travel, housing or food while they are at St. Jude.
And it is your devotion and passion for our mission that allows us to dream big and take the fight against life-threatening childhood diseases like cancer and sickle cell disease to the next level.
When Danny Thomas founded the hospital in 1962, the overall childhood cancer survival rate was just 20%. Today, that number is more than 80%.
Thanks to you, we are now in the midst of an exciting, multi-billion dollar expansion plan, announced in 2015, that includes research and clinical care facilities, housing for more patients and a global plan that will help children around the world.
And while we have made great progress since opening in 1962 — when the overall childhood survival rate was just 20% — there is still much work to be done. Between 180,000 and 240,000 children across the globe will be diagnosed with cancer this year, many of them without access to adequate treatment or care. And in our own country, one in five children diagnosed with cancer will lose their battle.
The faculty and staff at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are dedicated to changing those statistics, to finding the cures for diseases that threaten the lives of children everywhere. And thanks to the support of generous and caring donors and volunteers like you, St. Jude will continue to lead the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
That is our commitment to desperately ill children around the world — and to those of you who support St. Jude — that we will do all we can, through research and treatment, to save children’s lives. Because one life lost is one too many.
Thank you for all that you do for the kids of St. Jude — and for children everywhere.
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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Rounding up funds for St. Jude
Doug Yates has been raising funds for the kids of St. Jude through a three-day festival held at his farm in Ringgold, Ga.
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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.
