Cómo un voluntario está forjando un legado de solidaridad

Inspirado por una promesa personal, este empresario convirtió la adversidad en un compromiso con la misión de St. Jude que une a su familia y moviliza a su comunidad

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por Alban Zamora

21 de julio de 2026  •  5 mínimo

Luis Alemañy, partidario de St. Jude

Apoya a St. Jude

Español | English

Cada mañana, camino al trabajo, Luis Alemañy sigue un ritual que le da sentido y rumbo a su día. 

Con su madre al teléfono, rezan juntos el salmo 91 y la oración a San Judas Tadeo, patrón de las causas perdidas.

Al llegar a la oficina en Bayamón, a menos de 20 kilómetros de la capital puertorriqueña, va dispuesto a trabajar codo a codo con su equipo en una empresa que ha hecho resurgir desde las cenizas. Sin embargo, también va con la camisa puesta para apoyar como empresario las causas sociales que le dan propósito a su vida, como la de St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®.  

“Si yo no comparto mis bendiciones pudiera ser que, en un momento dado, las pueda perder”, dijo Luis mientras recordaba el trayecto que le ha tocado recorrer para cumplir sus sueños. 

Quienes ven su altruismo o su éxito en los negocios, difícilmente se imaginan cómo años atrás el empresario tocó fondo. 

“Me quedé sin empleo por una reestructuración en la empresa donde trabajaba, y, por más que buscaba trabajo, todas las puertas se me cerraron”, dijo.

Every morning on his way to work, Luis Alemañy follows a ritual that gives meaning and direction to his day. He calls his mother, and together, they recite Psalm 91 and a prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of lost causes. When he arrives at his office in Bayamón, just outside Puerto Rico’s capital, he’s ready to work side-by-side with his team at a company he brought back from the brink. But he also walks in wearing his commitment to social causes that give his life purpose — like supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. “If I don’t share my blessings, I could lose them someday,” Luis said, reflecting on the long journey that shaped his dreams. Those who see his success in business or his generosity might never imagine how, years ago, he hit rock bottom. “I lost my job because of a restructuring, and no matter how hard I tried, every door closed,” he said. When hope was fading, something unexpected happened. A moment that reconnected him with his faith and reminded him it wasn’t time to give up. “I found a prayer card with the image of St. Jude Thaddeus in my car,” he recalled. “I have no idea how it got there, but it changed my perspective.” Overcome with emotion, Luis prayed and made a promise: If he found work, he would dedicate part of his life to helping those in need. Soon after, he discovered a factory on the verge of shutting down. Seeing an opportunity, Luis stepped in and acquired the struggling business, putting everything he had on the line. “It was in critical condition, financially and physically. We had to choose between paying employees or buying raw materials to keep production going,” Luis said. Trusting his instincts, he saw potential where others saw failure and invested everything he had to save the business. That first year was a massive challenge for him and his family. “We know it was tough, especially without a salary. He worked late into the night trying to stabilize the company,” said Awilda, his wife. “Seeing that effort made us admire him even more.” Awilda also remembers his concern for longtime employees. “He told me, ‘We have to do something. How can they lose their jobs?’” she said. Ari, one of those employees, agreed: “He moved heaven and earth to give people their jobs back. Luis is an example to follow.” In 2019, Ari helped restart operations with just 13 employees. “Today we have more than 50 and we’re still hiring,” Luis said, sharing a grateful smile with Awilda. True to his values, Luis dedicated his business to St. Jude Thaddeus, even including the saint’s initials in the company name. Without knowing it, his promise echoed one made more than six decades earlier by Danny Thomas, the founder of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As a young entertainer, Danny faced many challenges in building his career. He sought refuge in his faith and prayed to Saint Jude Thaddeus and asked the saint for something very special: “Show me my path in life, and I will build you a sanctuary.” Over the years, Danny's career flourished through his participation in films and television programs, and he kept his word by building a hospital that became a global symbol of hope for children with life-threatening diseases. Today, St. Jude leads the world in understanding, treating and defeating childhood cancer and other catastrophic illnesses. “When I learned about his promise, I felt admiration, and I couldn’t help but think of my own experience,” Luis said, his eyes shining with pride. A mission that brings family together While rebuilding his company, Luis heard a friend on the radio talking about supporting St. Jude. “I didn’t know about the mission, but when I learned those kids needed help, I called to become a Partner In Hope and asked my friend how I could do more,” Luis said. “It aligned perfectly with my promise — and even shared the same name as the saint.” For the past five years, Luis and Awilda have worked together recruiting volunteers for St. Jude events in Puerto Rico. Luis also serves on the organizing committee for the annual Fore the Kids Golf Tournament on the island, which benefits the research hospital. “My mom taught me to help others, and now I’m passing that on to my kids,” Luis said. On event day, he wakes his three children at 5 a.m. so they can head to the golf course and help with preparations. “Since I was little, I’ve been taught to give from what I have, not from what’s left over. And in a mission like this, you see how every effort makes a difference,” said Diego, the oldest. Luis Andrés, the youngest, said spending more than 12 hours helping in these events makes him feel useful — and “totally lucky” to be part of a cause that brings hope to kids with serious illnesses worldwide. “The mission of St. Jude has brought us closer as a family because we believe in helping others. It’s an organization that truly does good without asking for anything in return,” Awilda said, referring to Danny’s promise to treat children from everywhere, regardless of race, religion or ability to pay. “St. Jude is part of our family now,” Luis said. “I want it to stay that way — to keep giving hope and make that part of my legacy.”

Cuando sus esperanzas empezaban a diluirse, ocurrió lo inesperado. Vivió un momento que lo reconectó con su fe y le hizo entender que no era tiempo de rendirse.

“Encontré en mi carro una estampita con la figura de San Judas Tadeo”, recordó, “y aunque no tenga idea de cómo pudo llegar hasta ahí, cambió mi perspectiva”. 

Incrédulo, Luis tomó la imagen. Sintió una emoción muy profunda y, entre lágrimas, se puso a orar.

Luego, le hizo una promesa a San Judas: Si le conseguía trabajo, dedicaría parte de su vida a servir a quienes más lo necesitan.

Con esa convicción, continuó su búsqueda de trabajo y dio con una fábrica a punto de cerrar. 

“El lugar estaba en un estado crítico física y financieramente. Había que escoger entre pagar a los empleados o traer la materia prima para continuar con la producción”, dijo Luis. 

Pero su instinto le permitió ver el gran potencial que tenía frente a sus ojos y apostó todo el dinero que tenía en el banco para rescatar el negocio. 

Every morning on his way to work, Luis Alemañy follows a ritual that gives meaning and direction to his day. He calls his mother, and together, they recite Psalm 91 and a prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of lost causes. When he arrives at his office in Bayamón, just outside Puerto Rico’s capital, he’s ready to work side-by-side with his team at a company he brought back from the brink. But he also walks in wearing his commitment to social causes that give his life purpose — like supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. “If I don’t share my blessings, I could lose them someday,” Luis said, reflecting on the long journey that shaped his dreams. Those who see his success in business or his generosity might never imagine how, years ago, he hit rock bottom. “I lost my job because of a restructuring, and no matter how hard I tried, every door closed,” he said. When hope was fading, something unexpected happened. A moment that reconnected him with his faith and reminded him it wasn’t time to give up. “I found a prayer card with the image of St. Jude Thaddeus in my car,” he recalled. “I have no idea how it got there, but it changed my perspective.” Overcome with emotion, Luis prayed and made a promise: If he found work, he would dedicate part of his life to helping those in need. Soon after, he discovered a factory on the verge of shutting down. Seeing an opportunity, Luis stepped in and acquired the struggling business, putting everything he had on the line. “It was in critical condition, financially and physically. We had to choose between paying employees or buying raw materials to keep production going,” Luis said. Trusting his instincts, he saw potential where others saw failure and invested everything he had to save the business. That first year was a massive challenge for him and his family. “We know it was tough, especially without a salary. He worked late into the night trying to stabilize the company,” said Awilda, his wife. “Seeing that effort made us admire him even more.” Awilda also remembers his concern for longtime employees. “He told me, ‘We have to do something. How can they lose their jobs?’” she said. Ari, one of those employees, agreed: “He moved heaven and earth to give people their jobs back. Luis is an example to follow.” In 2019, Ari helped restart operations with just 13 employees. “Today we have more than 50 and we’re still hiring,” Luis said, sharing a grateful smile with Awilda. True to his values, Luis dedicated his business to St. Jude Thaddeus, even including the saint’s initials in the company name. Without knowing it, his promise echoed one made more than six decades earlier by Danny Thomas, the founder of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As a young entertainer, Danny faced many challenges in building his career. He sought refuge in his faith and prayed to Saint Jude Thaddeus and asked the saint for something very special: “Show me my path in life, and I will build you a sanctuary.” Over the years, Danny's career flourished through his participation in films and television programs, and he kept his word by building a hospital that became a global symbol of hope for children with life-threatening diseases. Today, St. Jude leads the world in understanding, treating and defeating childhood cancer and other catastrophic illnesses. “When I learned about his promise, I felt admiration, and I couldn’t help but think of my own experience,” Luis said, his eyes shining with pride. A mission that brings family together While rebuilding his company, Luis heard a friend on the radio talking about supporting St. Jude. “I didn’t know about the mission, but when I learned those kids needed help, I called to become a Partner In Hope and asked my friend how I could do more,” Luis said. “It aligned perfectly with my promise — and even shared the same name as the saint.” For the past five years, Luis and Awilda have worked together recruiting volunteers for St. Jude events in Puerto Rico. Luis also serves on the organizing committee for the annual Fore the Kids Golf Tournament on the island, which benefits the research hospital. “My mom taught me to help others, and now I’m passing that on to my kids,” Luis said. On event day, he wakes his three children at 5 a.m. so they can head to the golf course and help with preparations. “Since I was little, I’ve been taught to give from what I have, not from what’s left over. And in a mission like this, you see how every effort makes a difference,” said Diego, the oldest. Luis Andrés, the youngest, said spending more than 12 hours helping in these events makes him feel useful — and “totally lucky” to be part of a cause that brings hope to kids with serious illnesses worldwide. “The mission of St. Jude has brought us closer as a family because we believe in helping others. It’s an organization that truly does good without asking for anything in return,” Awilda said, referring to Danny’s promise to treat children from everywhere, regardless of race, religion or ability to pay. “St. Jude is part of our family now,” Luis said. “I want it to stay that way — to keep giving hope and make that part of my legacy.”

Ese primer año de tomar las riendas de la compañía se convirtió en un reto gigantesco para él y toda su familia. 

“Sabemos que fue un año muy difícil, sobre todo sin tener un salario, por lo que llegaba a casa a trabajar hasta largas horas de la noche para intentar estabilizar la compañía”, dijo Awilda, su esposa. “Ver ese énfasis, ese esfuerzo que le ponía a su negocio hizo que nuestros hijos y yo lo admiráramos aún más”.

Awilda tampoco olvida la preocupación de su esposo por los empleados que llevaban muchos años trabajando en la compañía que apenas había adquirido. 

“Me decía: “Tenemos que hacer algo para levantarla, ¿cómo ellos se van a quedar sin trabajo?”, recordó Awilda.

Así lo recuerda también Ari, uno de los empleados de Luis: “Él movió cielo, mar y tierra para poder darle otra vez el empleo a esas personas que tenían sus familias y necesitaban seguir adelante. Luis para mí es un ejemplo a seguir”.

En 2019, Ari apoyó el inicio de operaciones cuando eran apenas 13 empleados. 

“Hoy ya tenemos más de 50 y seguimos contratando”, dijo Luis mientras miraba con agradecimiento y complicidad a su esposa. 

En agradecimiento, y fiel a sus valores de fe, Luis le dedicó su emprendimiento a San Judas Tadeo. Incluso, optó por incluir las iniciales del santo en el nombre de la fábrica.

Sin saberlo, su promesa era similar a la que había realizado hace más de seis décadas Danny Thomas, el fundador de St. Jude Children's Research Hospital . Siendo un artista joven, hijo de migrantes en Estados Unidos, tuvo muchos altibajos en su carrera. Por eso, buscó refugio en su fe y rezó a San Judas Tadeo, pidiéndole algo muy especial: “Muéstrame mi camino en la vida y te construiré un santuario”.

Luis Alemañy: Building a legacy of giving

 Con el paso de los años, la carrera de Danny prosperó y cumplió su promesa con la construcción de un pequeño hospital que se convertiría luego en un símbolo de esperanza para los niños cuyas enfermedades solían considerarse causas perdidas. Hoy St. Jude lidera los esfuerzos a nivel mundial para entender, tratar y vencer el cáncer infantil y otras enfermedades pediátricas que amenazan la vida.

“Cuando me enteré de su promesa, sentí mucha admiración, pero no pude evitar pensar en mi propia experiencia”, dijo Luis con lágrimas de orgullo en sus ojos. 

Una misión que une a la familia

En el proceso de reconstruir la empresa, Luis recuerda haber escuchado en la radio a un buen amigo que hablaba sobre su apoyo a St. Jude.

“No conocía la misión de St. Jude, pero me conmoví al saber que esos niños que atiende el hospital necesitaban ayuda, así que llamé para convertirme en Ángel de Esperanza y le pregunté luego a mi amigo cómo podía involucrarme más”, recordó Luis. “Era una misión que sea alienaba perfectamente a mi promesa y llevaba el mismo nombre del santo”.

Así, Luis y Awilda han trabajado juntos durante los últimos cinco años reclutando voluntarios para actividades a beneficio de St. Jude en Puerto Rico. 

Además, Luis forma parte del comité organizador del Torneo de Golf "Fore the Kids", realizado anualmente en la isla a beneficio del hospital de investigación.

“Una de las cosas que mi mamá me inculcó fue a ayudar a todos y ahora se lo transmito a mis hijos”, dijo Luis.

 El día del evento, Luis levanta a sus tres hijos a las cinco de la mañana para dirigirse juntos al campo de golf y apoyar con todos los preparativos.

“Desde chiquito se me ha enseñado que hay que dar de lo que tengo, no de lo que me sobra. Y en una misión como esta, tú puedes ver que cada granito de arena que das hace un aporte importante”, dijo Diego, el hijo mayor de Luis. 

Por su parte, Luis Andrés, el más pequeño de la familia, contó cómo dedicar más de 12 horas a la actividad lo hace sentir útil. También se siente “totalmente afortunado” al saber que es parte de una causa que moviliza a tantas personas para ayudar a niños con enfermedades graves en todo el mundo.

“La misión de St. Jude nos ha llevado a unirnos más como familia, porque somos muy de ayudar al prójimo y sabemos que es una entidad donde se cumple el dicho de ‘hacer el bien sin mirar a quién’”, dijo Awilda, refiriéndose a la promesa de Danny Thomas de brindar tratamiento a niños de todas partes del mundo, sin importar su raza, religión o situación financiera.

“St. Jude ya forma parte de nuestra familia”, dijo Luis. “Quiero que así sea siempre, para seguir dando esperanza y que ese se concierta en parte de mi legado”.

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