Wearing hope on my sleeve

It all started with a very special radio broadcast in 2016.

I was participating for the first time in the annual Spanish-language St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® radiothon through La Selecta Radio, where I work in sales and community outreach in the Virginia Beach area. 

It was a beautiful experience to work as a team with my colleagues and, together with our community, support the mission of St. Jude: Finding cures. Saving children.® 

As I listened to the stories of each patient, heard the experiences of their parents during and after treatment, and learned that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, I realized that this hospital truly lives its mission every single day. That same year, I became a monthly donor and a Partner in Hope. 

Each year, the radiothon gives us the opportunity to connect with our listeners, who always help us reach our fundraising goals.

A few years ago, I had the chance to visit the St. Jude campus in Memphis, Tennessee, and see firsthand how every staff member goes above and beyond to care for and bring joy to the young patients. 

It’s important to me to share my experience with everyone around me, so they understand that the impact of St. Jude goes far beyond Memphis or even the United States. The hospital supports children and families around the world through shared research and even by helping children in other countries get the medications they need.

I’m proud to support this mission through my volunteer work with various St. Jude initiatives, including the St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway.  

I love posting on social media, in both Spanish and English, about St. Jude and its achievements, hoping to spark curiosity in others so they can learn more about this mission and feel inspired to support it, too.

I often wear my St. Jude shirt proudly, whether I’m heading to the gym, walking around my neighborhood, going to work or even traveling by plane or car. I’m like a walking billboard for hope! 

And I’m also just one small grain of sand doing my part to support children around the world —because every child has a purpose in life, and maybe St. Jude can help them fulfill that purpose.

I know that my support helps fuel hope in the hearts of children’s families, because St. Jude is there for them — always. 

My hope is that no child will ever lose their life to cancer, and that St. Jude can continue increasing survival rates for children everywhere.