ST. JUDE HOPE FOR THE CHILDREN

Dear Friends,

As we reflected on the last several months and considered plans for our 13th Annual St. Jude “Hope for the Children” event, we once again found ourselves, and the world, in unimaginable times. While we want to resume our beautiful tradition in honor of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, we have decided it best to postpone our in-person celebration this year, and we hope and pray we’ll be together again in September 2022.

However uncertain the times, what remains certain is our overwhelming gratitude for your legacy of support of St. Jude – many of you for more than a decade – through our annual fundraiser, and beyond. Unlike other hospitals, the majority of funding for St. Jude comes from loyal donors like you. Your generosity continues to fuel critical and innovative research at St. Jude that leads to cures shared freely all over the world, while also providing unparalleled patient care and hope to children and families who are experiencing some of the darkest times of their lives. Families like Eleanor’s.

Eleanor arrived at St. Jude on her first birthday for treatment of a type of acute myeloid leukemia associated with Down syndrome. St. Jude was a game-changer for this young family. “I can’t imagine what life after treatment would be like if we were worrying about bills,” said Eleanor’s dad. Eleanor successfully underwent chemotherapy, completing treatment in November 2019. She is now back home with her family, and enjoying some of her favorite things like running, splashing in water, getting people’s attention and food (even raw broccoli)!

Despite the pandemic, your unwavering support last year was astounding. We are so grateful for friends like you who enable us to give the children of St. Jude and their families much needed financial support to continue their fight. As ‘proud beggars’, like my grandfather, St. Jude founder Danny Thomas, called his band of fundraisers, we earnestly ask for your support of St. Jude again this year. Your gifts ensure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude, not for treatment, travel housing or food – lifting the devastating financial burden that comes with a life-threatening diagnosis like cancer and allowing families to worry about only one thing: helping their child live.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your consideration, and especially for your steadfast support. We continue to pray for your good health and happiness and look forward to when we can gather once again and celebrate your dedication to the St. Jude mission.

With love and gratitude for all you do,

Dionne & Trevor Kirschner and Nina & Ted Wass