September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, so I would like to start this month off by calling attention to one of the best organizations working to fight this terrible disease: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I toured their campus over two years ago, and it was an impactful trip that touched my heart well beyond the initial visit.
It’s hard to grasp the scale of what St. Jude does until you see it in person. Families never pay for treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – and their travel, food, and housing is also completely covered. This is thanks to contributions from people like you and I, and the support of partners like Target.
Target House was built in 1999 as a long-term housing facility for patients and families who are receiving treatment at St. Jude for longer than 3 months.
Target House contains 96 apartments, along with a number of communal areas where families can spend time if they so choose. Every part of Target House has been designed to be comfortable, warm and inviting.
One of these rooms was designed by Olympian Shaun White and his brother, Jesse.
Another room was designed by country musician Brad Paisley, complete with a guitar chandelier!
Elephants are a recurring motif at Target House, representing luck and strength.
Many other celebrities have lent their support to Target House by donating elephant artwork that hangs on the walls.
Target House also features a library, indoor and outdoor playrooms, the Amy Grant Music Room, a garden patio, and the Scott Hamilton Arts and Crafts Room as well as the Scott Hamilton Family Fitness Center.
This is just one small glimpse at the thought and care that goes into every aspect of care at St. Jude. By having basic needs and comforts taken care of at facilities such as Target House, families are able to totally focus on their child’s treatment and recovery.
To learn more about the world-class care at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, please visit StJude.org, and consider making a purchase from their gift shop this month in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Such a lovely place to visit, beautiful!