Honoring our history
For more than 50 years, children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases have been welcomed at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. St. Jude founder Danny Thomas believed that "no child should die in the dawn of life."
Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80%. We won't stop until no child dies from cancer.
Inspiring our future
SJLS is a unique leadership development experience for high school students
During a six-month period, members will have an opportunity to exercise their leadership skills while raising funds and awareness for the kids of St. Jude. View membership expectations.
St. Jude patient Maricel
There are three unique elements within the SJLS experience:
Leadership development
Members participate in a series of leadership development sessions that engage a variety of successful community and corporate leaders. All session experiences are inspired by St. Jude Founder Danny Thomas and focus on universal leadership traits like good citizenship, gratitude, grit, integrity, empathy, and courage.
Shared experience
Throughout the SJLS journey, members will have an opportunity to learn from mentors, peers, and ALSAC St. Jude executives and partners, alike. Through their shared experience members will gain valuable insight to a variety of career paths, improve communication, and exercise skills that will set them apart.
Transformational fundraising
All members will receive the tools, training and resources they need to successfully leverage their passion, skills and networks to build and execute a fundraising strategy to benefit the children and families at St. Jude. Every dollar raised ensures that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
Members who achieve or exceed their St. Jude Leadership Society development goals will be invited to experience St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee.
Apply for the SJLS experience:
Member application >
Peer advisor application >
For more information, email Amy Junge at Amy.Junge@stjude.org.
Meet our members and mentors
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Joyce
“I realized that leadership is much more than having authority over others; it is the ability to inspire and help others to reach a common goal.”
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Rachel with mentor and mom, Karen
"While I knew the members of SJLS would be bright, intelligent young adults, I never imagined the level of empathy, maturity and leadership this group has at such a young age. It is truly impressive."
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Andy
“Fundraising for St. Jude has been an inspiring and reflective experience for me, as well as my entire family. In working with St. Jude I heard the phrase, ‘Childhood cancer is scary. Fundraising isn’t,’ and when I reflect on this, I’m moved by the idea that with just a little effort and courage, I have the opportunity to help a child and a family in need.”
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Vishva with mentor and dad, Mahesh
“People from all different cultures and backgrounds come together when they find a set of morals they agree with and it’s so nice to see that happen firsthand with this wonderful group of kids.”
You may also be interested in:
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Team Up for St. Jude
Get the whole school involved when you host a game day event and fundraise for the kids of St. Jude.
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Create Your Own Fundraiser
Create a fundraiser and help change lives. Every dollar you raise makes a real impact in the lives of St. Jude kids and their families.
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No More Cancer Rally
Gather your friends for an exciting fundraising party to help St. Jude continue to find cures for childhood cancer.