Wishes from Grey's Anatomy star

When Jerrika Hinton played a doctor on the popular TV drama Grey’s Anatomy, viewers may not have known how much of the role was inspired by her own life. Her character — who was motivated to go into healthcare as a result of having sickle cell disease — was loosely based on Hinton’s cousin.

When Hinton visited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as the guest panelist for the annual St. Jude Gold Luncheon, the inspiration continued as the actress was moved by the hospital’s holistic approach to healthcare.

“When I got to see more in depth how St. Jude works, I just walked away going, ‘Why isn’t the whole world like this?’” Hinton said at the luncheon, which raises money for St. Jude while celebrating philanthropic women in Memphis and surrounding communities.

Now in its fourth year, the St. Jude Gold Luncheon has raised nearly $250,000, and is in the process of expanding from a regional to national event. This year’s luncheon honored 16 Memphis women, who raised a collective $65,000 for St. Jude in connection with the event. As the guest speaker, Hinton spoke about why she supports St. Jude.