St. Jude: A Beacon of Hope

By Michelle Cary

“Show me my way in life, and I will build you a shrine.” This simple promise, made by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, became the most important work of his life: the establishment of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – the shrine he had promised St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes. Dedicated solely to the conquest of catastrophic diseases afflicting children, Danny’s dream became reality when the hospital, located in Memphis, Tennessee, opened its doors on February 4, 1962. Now, after over four decades, St. Jude is the single largest center in the United States for the treatment of pediatric cancer and other childhood catastrophic diseases.

Located in Memphis, St. Jude’s is the United States’ largest center for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and childhood catastrophic diseases.

At St. Jude, no child pays for treatment beyond what is covered by insurance, and those without insurance are never asked to pay. This commitment that St. Jude makes to all of its patients is upheld by millions of donors and volunteers around the world. It is the dedication and support from organizations such as the Steven A. Cox Foundation and the generosity of the 18th Annual Cox Classic community that allows St. Jude to uphold this promise. In fact, 84 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to the children of St. Jude. As Marlo Thomas, daughter of Danny Thomas, stated, “It takes an amazing number of people to save a child’s life: not just the doctors and scientists but also the corporate sponsors and the millions of donors around the world. Their passion constantly touches me.”

Our physicians and scientists of St. Jude have pioneered treatments that have helped dramatically raise the overall survival rates for childhood cancer. St. Jude, in fact, was responsible for transforming acute lymphoblastic leukemia – one if the most common and most lethal forms of childhood cancer – into one of the most curable. This survival rate jumped from 4% at the opening of St. Jude to an amazing 94% today. Children from 50 states and over 70 foreign countries have come to St. Jude, and thousands more around the world have benefited from the research conducted at St. Jude. As the famous heart surgeon Michael DeBakey said, “A child saved at St. Jude represents thousands of children saved around the world.”

There is truly no place like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St. Jude is a place where some of today’s most gifted scientists are able to perform life-saving experiments. A place where doctors across the world send some of their toughest cases. A place where no one pays for treatment beyond what is covered by insurance, and those without insurance are never asked to pay. As Tim Bayly, Regional Director states, “What I see at St Jude is hope and there is nothing more important when enduring a life-threatening illness. This gift that is given to the St. Jude children and their families is one that is truly priceless.”

A hospital without walls

As Marlo Thomas said, “So deep is the bond that has formed at St. Jude that, even after a child is sent home, doctors and caseworkers remain part of the patient’s life.” This St. Jude family extends far beyond the hospital to a more local level, where St. Jude representatives work directly with the community to care for the patients and raise awareness and funds for St. Jude. Local St. Jude representative Michelle Cary says, “Although the hospital is located in Memphis, Tennessee, it truly is a hospital without walls. The research shared and treatment practiced touch the lives of families in every community.” Events such as the 18th Annual Cox Classic demonstrate on a local level a strong personal commitment and monetary support of St. Jude. These efforts help to expand the ever-growing St. Jude community as well as raise funds for St. Jude patients. These patients, such as New Jersey resident Cody Bigos, diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta before birth, are able to receive the life-saving treatment they need due to the support of these organizations and programs. If you would like to learn more about St. Jude events in your area, please contact Michelle Cary at (800) 526-9542.