The history of National Children's Health Day
Before the existence of dedicated children’s healthcare facilities, many childhood illnesses and ailments were treated at home. The idea of specialized healthcare for children (care that differed from how an adult would be treated) wasn’t widely acknowledged until the 1860s, when the first children’s hospitals were built.
In 1928, President Calvin Coolidge established National Children's Health Day. Originally observed May 1, it's now recognized annually in October.
How to celebrate National Children's Health Day
Children everywhere are relying on us to help them grow up strong and healthy. Here are a few things you can do this National Children's Health Day to promote childhood health and wellness:
- Schedule your child’s next check-up appointment
- Introduce more healthy foods into your child’s diet
- Exercise or play a sport together
- Cook a well-balanced meal together
- Play outside in the fresh air
- Teach your child how to check in with their body and recognize how they're feeling
St. Jude patient Sully, with her mom
What day is National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day?
National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day is celebrated on the Thursday of the first full week in May. In 2026, it will fall on May 7. While National Children's Health Day focuses on all aspects of children's health, National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day focuses specifically on mental illness, behavioral disorders and emotional disturbance.
Why give to St. Jude?
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
St. Jude has helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate in the U.S. from 20% in 1962 to more than 80% today. Thanks to generous donors like you, St. Jude can give our doctors and researchers the tools and technology they need to make the next groundbreaking discovery.
Every child deserves a chance to live their best life and celebrate every moment. When you support St. Jude, you can help make cures possible for kids with cancer. Together, we can save more lives.
Why become a monthly donor?
Unlike other hospitals, the majority of funding for St. Jude comes from generous donors.
You can make recurring gifts to St. Jude through our monthly giving program and become a Partner In Hope. Your donations will help sustain our lifesaving mission.
St. Jude patient Vietnam
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