Celebrating Black excellence at St. Jude
Black excellence has helped propel the St. Jude mission forward. During a time of widespread segregation, St. Jude hired Black doctors, researchers and nurses, while also providing care to children regardless of race. We celebrate the dedication of these heroes through stories of impact about staff members, supporters, volunteers and patients.
February 01, 2026 • 1 min
Stories
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St. Jude kidney cancer survivor wants to be an example to others
Determined and resilient, Vincent Cordell is creating his own opportunities.
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For Jameshia, cancer is ‘not the whole story’
St. Jude childhood cancer survivor shows how marriage, motherhood and mentorship helped her build resilience and purpose.
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St. Jude families find community through art in anticipation of Sickle Cell Awareness Month
Patients of all ages, and their siblings, let their creativity flow and talk about what makes them feel strong.
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A novel approach to legacy giving
Sandra Kitt’s passion for storytelling became a lifeline for St. Jude families.
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Couple’s devotion to St. Jude mission becomes a legacy of love
Angela and Terrell Richards have St. Jude in their estate plans to support lifesaving mission.
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Keeping Teah Palmer’s light shining by helping the kids of St. Jude
Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church honors longtime member and advocate for kids on Sunday of Hope by supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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St. Jude helps send free medicine to childhood cancer patients in multiple countries as part of new global platform
Countries to benefit from free medicine for pediatric cancer patients through Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines
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First to be cured of sickle cell disease, Kimberlin relishes the joy of each day
Uncover the challenges and miracles behind bone marrow transplants as a treatment for sickle cell disease.
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St. Jude provided a foundation to help Courtney live her best life
Meet Courtney Davis, an investment banker on Wall Street, living her best life while managing sickle cell disease. Learn how St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has helped her exceed expectations.
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Tameika and Marcel Davis invest in research to develop more cures and better treatments for children battling life-threatening diseases
Tameika and Marcel Davis are dedicated to St. Jude Partners in Hope. Their story highlights the profound impact of generosity.
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Kindergarten Adventures Begin for St. Jude patient Yara
Yara, a spirited 5-year-old, starts kindergarten with excitement. Diagnosed with SAMD9L syndrome, she receives treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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St. Jude Connections - Chatting about Motivation and Purpose
St. Jude Connections gives you the chance to get to know people who support our mission. Everyone responds to prompts and talks about important moments in their lives.
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How a community helped shoulder the weight of little Josiah’s cancer
Keithan's colleagues and students at ASU rallied to support his son Josiah's cancer fight, raising funds through a concrete canoe smash for St. Jude.
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For St. Jude patient Ashtyn, little moments in life embody big hope
She was treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for a cancerous brain tumor at 5. Now 11, she’s enjoying all the moments her moms were scared she wouldn’t get.
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St. Jude patient Sabrina found solace — and power — in poetry
At 9, she began writing poetry while in treatment for cancer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Now 25, she inspires strength and resiliency with her words.
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With individualized care at St. Jude, Elani is ready for the world
Discover how St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® is transforming the lives of sickle cell disease patients like Elani with cutting-edge treatments and care.
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Like learning to walk, ‘I just always knew about St. Jude’
Through workplace, family and fraternity, David McKinney has been a lifelong supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Now, he’s encouraging his 6-year-old son to join the mission.
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Cooking with Javon: tater tot casserole
St. Jude patient Javon shares some of his favorite recipes. In this episode, Javon makes tater tot casserole.
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Cooking with Javon: fried catfish and dirty rice
St. Jude patient Javon shares some of his favorite recipes. In this episode, Javon creates delicious fried catfish and dirty rice.
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‘Always the First:’ Early St. Jude nurse helped pioneer sickle cell disease research
Maurice Walton Tate forged a path for others, driven by the tragic loss of her daughter before St. Jude opened.
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Cooking with Javon: mac & cheese
St. Jude patient Javon shares some of his favorite recipes. In this episode, Javon creates beloved comfort food mac & cheese.
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Vernon Rayford — son, doctor, father — considers support of St. Jude as ‘full circle’
From marathon runs to his Phi Beta Sigma chapter, Dr. Rayford advocates for sickle cell disease research and the care of minorities and marginalized communities worldwide.
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Bailey lives active life with sickle cell disease
St. Jude improves quality of life for young sickle cell patients with use of medicine that reduces life threatening symptoms of the disease.
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St. Jude continues to chart progress in how to understand and treat sickle cell disease
Pioneering work in St. Jude labs provides "promising" path to a cure using gene editing.
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St. Jude scientists help show how new gene editing techniques can correct the mutation that causes sickle cell disease
The novel approach, developed in collaboration with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, is a hopeful step on the path to a cure.
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Born with sickle cell disease, Za’Mya thrives in care of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Mom credits St. Jude for the life her daughter is able to lead and includes its supporters among her family and village.
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St. Jude treatment of sickle cell disease hits close to home for this Mississippi pottery shop
A business literally shaped from Mississippi mud, Peter’s Pottery makes the world a brighter place — and a better one, too, with its support of St. Jude.
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Making History at St. Jude: Dr. Rudolph Jackson
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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St. Jude explores curative therapies for sickle cell disease
Dr. Weiss explains how he and his team are working to improve treatments for patients using genetic therapies and better medications
