Guests take the stage at the St. Jude Hope & Heritage Gala, celebrating a record-breaking evening in support of St. Jude
The St. Jude Hope & Heritage Gala soared to new heights by raising $1.4 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® on April 25 at Cipriani Wall Street, bringing together more than 650 community and philanthropic leaders and longtime supporters from across New York City.
The evening honored St. Jude founder Danny Thomas, who was of Lebanese heritage, and his dream of an institution that would treat and research serious childhood illnesses without charging families a bill. The Arab American community rallied around this cause by creating the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC), the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude. That support has enabled progress at St. Jude and has helped push the U.S. childhood cancer survival rate from 20% in the 1960s to more than 80% today.
St. Jude patient Maelin‑Kate and her mother, Megan, share their story on stage at the St. Jude Hope & Heritage Gala
Attendees heard from Megan and her daughter, Maelin-Kate, who was treated at St. Jude for Fanconi anemia. After being referred to St. Jude, Maelin‑Kate received ongoing care that included monitoring, blood transfusions, and a bone marrow transplant in 2019. “Walking through the doors of St. Jude changed our lives forever,” Megan said. “They didn’t just save Maelin-Kate’s life; they gave us hope, strength, and the feeling that we would never face this journey alone. Today, St. Jude continues to provide her with the best possible care.”
Attendees gather for a photo at the St. Jude Hope & Heritage Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City
The evening also featured performances from Shereen Ahmed, best known for her role in My Fair Lady on Broadway, the New York Arabic Orchestra, and DJ Cyril Nehme. Event sponsors included Dr. Ramon Tallaj and Dr. Ines Hernandez, Duggal Visual Solutions, Mona Aboelnaga & Sabi Kanaan, and Ramp.
For more information about the St. Jude Hope & Heritage Gala, upcoming events, and ways to connect with St. Jude supporters in New York, visit www.stjude.org/hopeandheritage.
About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was considered largely incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate in the U.S. from 20% to more than 80%, and it won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers around the world improve the quality of treatment and care for even more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Support the St. Jude mission by donating at stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.
Media Contact
Yesenia Ubaldo
ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
(901) 706-5591
yesenia.ubaldo@alsac.stjude.org