St. Jude is an inclusive place of hope for kids
St. Jude cares for some of the world’s sickest children regardless of their race, ethnicity, beliefs, or ability to pay.
When he was a struggling entertainer, Danny Thomas prayed to St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes: "Help me find my way in life, and I will build you a shrine." When Danny became successful, he made good on his promise and founded St. Jude.
He vowed to make St. Jude an inclusive place, a place of hope for kids with life-threatening diseases, as well as their families .
And no matter what, families have never received a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
Our patients receive the customized care they need to treat childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases, no matter what barriers they may face.
St. Jude patient Jordyn (third from left) with her family in 2019
St. Jude patient Za'Mya and her mother
We’re thankful for St. Jude.
St. Jude patient Za'Mya's mother
The first research grant that St. Jude ever received, in 1958, before the hospital was even built, was for the study of sickle cell disease. St. Jude subsequently launched the first comprehensive study of sickle cell disease and its impact on the African-American population.
In more ways than one, St. Jude was a pioneer
Equity is at the heart of our lifesaving mission: Finding cures. Saving children.®
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Dr. Rudoph Jackson's legacy
St. Jude cares for some of the world’s sickest children regardless of their race, ethnicity, beliefs, or ability to pay. Your support will continue the lifesaving work of St. Jude and commemorate the legacy of Dr. Rudolph Jackson.
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Making history
When St. Jude opened in 1962, Danny Thomas vowed the hospital would treat patients regardless of race, religion or ability to pay. In 1968, Dr. Rudolph Jackson became one of the first Black doctors at St. Jude.
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'Another side of humanity'
As the segregationist laws of the 1950s and ‘60s kept African Americans from advancing socially and professionally, St. Jude offered a safe environment where equality was the order of the day.
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'Always the first'
Maurice Walton Tate forged a path for others, driven by the tragic loss of her daughter before St. Jude opened.
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Our core values
Four simple but powerful words fuel the mission of ALSAC, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
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Architect of hope
Paul Williams, an African-American architect who made his name designing homes for stars like Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball, donated his services to help his friend Danny Thomas build St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Without St. Jude, my children wouldn't be here.
Lisa, Javon and Jakayla's mom
Lisa and her children were all treated at St. Jude for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer. St. Jude has increased the survival rates for ALL from 4% before opening in 1962 to 94% today.
When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was largely considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80%, and we won't stop until no child dies from cancer.
In 2018, The Links Incorporated awarded St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital a $1 million Legacy Grant to help advance sickle cell research, testing and treatment.
Because of this grant, St. Jude was able to work in three areas to apply its cutting-edge research and lifesaving work to help children of African descent, both domestically and internationally, navigate and overcome the effects of sickle cell disease (SCD).
— Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D., President of The Links Incorporated
Today, our lifesaving mission continues
Our stories continue to reflect our founder's vision that St. Jude be a place of hope and inspiration.
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Mississippi doctor inspired to give to St. Jude
As Dr. Rayford learned more about St. Jude — how it had opened as an inclusive hospital in 1962 at the height of civil rights strife in the South and welcomed children regardless of race, and how it employed and promoted doctors, scientists and staff of color, as well — Rayford knew this was a cause that deserved his support.
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Progress continues with sickle cell
Pioneering work in St. Jude labs provides "promising" path to a cure using gene editing.
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After relapse, Luna finds hope and healing at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Cancer journey gives dad a new perspective and big dreams for his daughter and the mission of St. Jude to end childhood cancer everywhere.
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D.C. donor after visit to St. Jude: You had me at hello
Here is Corey Briscoe, in his own words, talking about the bond between St. Jude and his company, the power of African American philanthropy, and why there’s more to business than the traditional bottom line.
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Thanks to St. Jude research, Carrie celebrates life, looks forward to parenthood
A protocol developed at St. Jude made it possible for Carrie to be treated at her local hospital. Today, she works in support of St. Jude, “the best humanity has to offer.”
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Tina's quinceañera: a tradition of a lifetime
After overcoming a cancer diagnosis at age 10, this St. Jude patient and her family celebrated her 15th birthday in style.
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St. Jude keeps Eliza giggling
Mom and dad felt hopeless when their 4-month-old ‘ray of sunshine’ was diagnosed with retinoblastoma. St. Jude gave them hope and years of memories ahead.
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At home in her lab at St. Jude
Dr. Obeng's parents instilled in her a value for education, and she's putting it to use treating patients and researching new therapies and cures.
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Power of family
Love for each other eased this family through childhood cancer treatment.
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Through past and present
Robert Spence found a sense of mission and equality at St. Jude. Decades later, his niece found life-saving treatment, and his son, a career.
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Dedicating his craft to help kids
Artist Derek Fordjour’s ‘Rhythm & Blues’ raises $410,000 for St. Jude
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Finding inspiration in illness
Fashion designer and illustrator Kris Keys first learned to love painting as a child in a hospital bed. After traveling the globe, Kris still gets inspiration from the blood disorder that’s been with her since she was born.
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A little girl's unwavering spirit
Mom is encouraged by Eleanor's unwavering spirit
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The healing power of supporting St. Jude
Fundraiser and cancer survivor Imani Brown talks about her mom's boldness, and her pain, and the healing power of supporting St. Jude.
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Making progress through cancer research
The stories of Brian, Caleb and Mason highlight the progress St. Jude continues to make in treating ALL, the most common form of childhood cancer.
St. Jude has the highest rating on Charity Navigator.
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When you make a gift, 82 cents of every dollar supports the treatment, research and future needs of St. Jude.
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