Last week, I had the privilege of visiting Memphis, Tennessee in order to tour St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Although I was familiar with this organization as a charity that helps children facing cancer, I had no idea of the extent of what St. Jude does for its patients and their families until I saw it in person. Did you know that St. Jude provides care for all kinds of catastrophic childhood illness, from cancer to sickle cell anemia to pediatric HIV and AIDS? Did you know that St. Jude has a research lab on-site which they fund themselves in order to investigate cutting-edge treatments for rare childhood cancers? Or that since St. Jude opened its doors in 1962 and began its then-radical approach to treating childhood cancers, overall survival rates have increased from an average of 20% to as much as 80% or more? And despite the plethora of medical treatments, patient housing, travel, and countless other services provided for both the physical and mental well-being of patients and their families, no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude; all of their incredible work is completely funded by donations.
Once I experienced the facility first-hand, I realized why it was so important for me to see it in order to best convey the enormity of what is being done for these children and their loved ones. In coming posts, I will be sharing more details, photos, and my personal experiences interacting with patients and staff at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – there is far too much to sum up succinctly and I personally believe that what St. Jude is doing is so important and needs more attention. So to start us off, I wanted to share these quick facts on the organization and share a very timely promotion that St. Jude is doing to raise funds!
This Mother’s Day, St. Jude has partnered with several corporate supporters to bring you a variety of wonderful gifting ideas, a portion of whose proceeds will benefit St. Jude:
The Nine West Western Loop Scarf retails for $32 and can be purchased in stores or at NineWest.com. $10 of the purchase price on this lovely scarf benefits St. Jude.
The Open Hearts Mother’s Day Card is available in Kay Jewelers stores through May 11th for $3; $2.50 from each card goes to St. Jude. No Kay Jewelers stores near you? Then visit St.Jude.org/Mom to find a selection of Mother’s day cards for sale which you can print or send via email. Perfect for last-minute shoppers!
The Loft Cares “Feel-Good” Card is available in stores now through June 1st, 2014; this discount card entitles the recipient to 20% off any $100 purchase. The card retails for $25, with 90% of the proceeds benefiting St.Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
I cannot think of a better gift for a mother than something which supports the most important thing to any mom: Keeping children safe and healthy.
Enter to Win:
In honor of Mother’s Day, we are giving away one Nine West Western Loop Scarf, one Open Hearts Mother’s Day Card, and one Loft Cares “Feel-Good” Card!
To Enter:
Enter this giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget below. Giveaway ends at 11PM PST on Mother’s Day, May 11th; winner will be drawn and notified on May 14th. This giveaway is open to residents of the continental US, 18 years of age or older – no PO boxes (Sorry!!). To read our giveaway rules, click here.
I learned that St. Jude has a section for Mother’s Day cards to send right now for a donation. Great idea! But I love St. Jude’s and what they do. My brother went there when he was little.
Heroes registration for the Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K is now open in the 2014 St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend.
In general, a child must be eligible for one of their open clinical research studies in order to be accepted for treatment at St. Jude
I learned that they have an affiliate in my state in Peoria Illinois. I didn’t know that and I’ve been a fundraiser for St. Judes
families never receive a bill from st judes
ST.Jude is a wonderful place to take children to, Thery go above and beyond to help. Many blessings to you for all you have done to help ST. Jude
Slade is the patient of the month, he was diagnosed with leukemia.
I learned that St. Jude has helped increase the survival rates for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) from 4% before opening in 1962 to 94% today. That is so impressive!
I completely forgot that Danny Thomas was a supporter for St. Judges Hospital.
I did not realize that families did not receive a single bill from St. Jude’s. How awesome when health care costs so much!
Families of children being treated at St. Jude never receive a bill.
I learned that the study of rare childhood neurodegenerative diseases leads St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital scientists to a new source of DNA damage that may play a role in a wide range of health problems, including cancer. Interesting.
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude! That is amazing! God Bless!
The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay.
I learned that St. Jude has helped increase the survival rates for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) from 4% before opening in 1962 to 94% today. That is really an amazing percentage.
I learned that no family pays st. jude anything
the pediatric cancer genome project was something interesting on the website
NO family pays St. Jude for anything
I LEARNED ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY HELPED WITH LUKEMIA..I DONATE AND I AM SUCH A FAN OF ST JUDE HOSPITAL. PLEASE CARRY ON!!
I learned that the hospital was started in 1962.