‘A cure has to come’
Cancer survivor supports St. Jude in her estate plans after her own struggle with the disease
February 02, 2026 • 2 min
For Michelle P. Robinson, cancer has touched several chapters of her life. Both of her parents passed away from the disease, and years later, she faced it herself.
Surviving breast cancer gave her a deeper sense of gratitude for each day and strengthened her resolve to provide help to children facing the disease at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®.
“When I went through chemo and went through radiation, I knew how my body felt,” Michelle recalled. “I just couldn’t imagine how children feel dealing with this, and that’s what sparked me to say, in addition to my monthly gift, I have to leave something. A cure has to come even if it is not in my lifetime. A cure has got to come for these children.”
A native New Yorker, Michelle’s commitment to helping others was further shaped by the devastation of the 9/11 attacks. Being that close to tragedy forced her to focus on the most important things in life.
That’s why Michelle has chosen to leave a legacy gift to St. Jude in her will to help make it possible for children seeking care and comfort to have a chance to celebrate every moment.
“There is so much light at St. Jude,” she said. “Everywhere I turned, everyone was so friendly.”
Her connection to St. Jude began when she was 12, watching the black and white television commercials featuring St. Jude founder Danny Thomas.
“Since then, I have always had a curiosity about St. Jude,” she said.
That curiosity turned into support over the last 15 years. When her father passed, she discovered he had also been a supporter.
This spring, Michelle attended the Danny Thomas-St. Jude Society event, a gathering of supporters who have included St. Jude in their wills or estate plans.
“There is so much light at St. Jude,” she said. “Everywhere I turned, everyone was so friendly.”
Now in her early 70s, Michelle is too busy to retire. She works as a human resources and administrative executive for her church in New York.
Though she majored in elementary education at Queens College after graduating from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, made famous from the show “Fame,” she never taught. But her passion to help children never waned.
“I remember seeing my mother give anonymously to help families and children at my church,” Michelle said. “It helped spark something in me and all these years later, I want to help children like the children of St. Jude.”
