Because of you, the world is bright.
St. Jude is proud to honors its survivors, from the newly diagnosed to those who have been with us since the hospital opened in 1962. To recognize our survivors and their caregivers, we send an annual Survivor Box.
This year's Survivor Box contains a guide with important health updates for cancer survivors, along with news from St. Jude; a metal skyline ornament that can be used as a holiday decoration or displayed as a year-round reminder of St. Jude; a 2019 survivor pin and any other applicable milestone pins.
Past year highlights
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We’ve treated 554 patients with proton therapy since 2015. St. Jude is home to the world’s first proton therapy center dedicated solely to children. Proton therapy aims high-dose radiation at cancer cells and spares healthy cells. It is one of the most advanced and precise forms of radiation treatment.
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Visiting St. Jude soon? With the official Our St. Jude app, patients can access schedules, travel and housing information, meet care team members, get directions around campus and discover articles written by St. Jude experts. You can download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. It can be found by searching “Our St. Jude.” If you have any questions or concerns about the Our St. Jude app, please email oursjsupport@stjude.org.
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Survivors may face lifelong challenges related to cancer and its treatment. Together is a trustworthy resource where survivors and their families can learn about late effects, healthy lifestyles, school support, workplace topics, and access to care. Powered by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Together is for anyone facing childhood cancer, from diagnosis into long-term survival.
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This platform offers scientists access to the world’s largest public source of childhood cancer genomics data. More than 800 researchers from 400 institutions are using St. Jude Cloud to speed progress on curing cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
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U.S. News & World Report ranked St. Jude as one of the nation’s top childhood cancer hospitals. We’ve earned this designation for the past 11 years.
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St. Jude added a 12,000-square-foot mural made of 1.2 million sequins. This colorful art shimmers outside the Kay Research and Care Center.
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St. Jude is focusing on abolishing cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). One out of every four people is infected with HPV. Vaccination can prevent the infections that cause HPV-related cancers. St. Jude is working to boost vaccination rates in the U.S.
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For the second time in a row, the National Cancer Institute awarded St. Jude the highest possible rank of “exceptional.” St. Jude is the first and only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children.
Research Highlights
- St. Jude developed and produced gene therapy that cured babies with “bubble boy” disease.
- St. Jude scientists studying childhood brain tumors made a discovery that offers a possible new way to treat Alzheimer’s disease.
- The hospital led a study to find out how flu affects an infant’s immune system. This work may help scientists create a universal flu vaccine.
- Here’s another reason to cover your cough or sneeze: St. Jude scientists revealed details of how flu and bacteria work together to promote infection.
- St. Jude scientists found gene changes that are linked with higher risk of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
- A recent study helped researchers understand the gene change that causes pontine gliomas. The discovery may help scientists design better therapies.
- The hospital created one of the world’s largest collections of leukemia samples. Researchers worldwide can use this resource, which is called PROPEL.
- A St. Jude study found gene changes linked to mixed phenotype acute leukemia. The work offers a basis to develop better therapies.
- St. Jude scientists found that a financial checkup should be a part of health screenings for childhood cancer survivors.
- Research at St. Jude uncovered gene changes that cause familial monosomy 7 syndrome. Scientists found the condition sometimes resolves without treatment.
What's on the Horizon?
New patient housing: St. Jude completed designs for a new patient housing facility. It will feature 160 rooms, short-stay suites, two- and three-bedroom apartments, a playground, community areas and dining space.
Family Commons and school: In 2021, the St. Jude Family Commons should open in the Patient Care Center. The Family Commons will be open only to patients and families. They will be able to shop, snack, make travel plans and handle basic needs. An enhanced 10,895-square-foot school will also be offered in this area. The new school will tap St. Jude science experts and will offer exciting classes for patients.
Advanced research center: Set to open in 2021, this building will be a hub of interaction and discovery. The 625,000-square-foot building will include eight floors of labs and scientific space. It is one of the largest active research construction projects in the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If you are an active or former patient of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, you should have received an annual Survivor Box. Please complete the Survivor Box Replacement form, and we will send you a Survivor Box within 4-6 weeks.
Your contact information will be used to update our patient records, which is used for hospital communications and will not be used for any other purposes.
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If an item was missing or broken in your Survivor Box, please contact us at survivorbox@stjude.org. If you need a replacement enamel survivor pin, please fill out the Replacement form. We will send you a replacement in 4-6 weeks.
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If you need a replacement enamel survivor pin, please fill out the Pin Replacement form. We will send you a replacement in 4-6 weeks.
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If you are an active or former patient of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, please complete the Update Your Contact Information form.
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After reviewing the Survivors Day event, we found that only 3% of our survivors and their families were able to participate each year. In an effort to share the educational and memorable materials with a larger share of our survivor families, we developed the Survivor Box. Last year, more than 9,400 received a Survivor Box.
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While we do not have additional copies to distribute to large groups, we can offer a downloadable pdf of the booklet for personal printing. We have also included links to the educational booklet above.