I had the privilege of visiting the St. Jude campus in 2014. Never have I been so impressed with a community of people: from doctors to nurses, to researchers to support staff to volunteers. I saw children and their families, families that look just like yours and mine, dealing with the most serious, and deadly, childhood cancers. As unbelievable as it might sound, there is a feeling of goodness, optimism, and positivity there, even in these most challenging circumstances.
Children who are treated at St. Jude are referred by doctors from all over the United States and all over the world. These physicians recognize that the researchers and doctors at St. Jude are their patient's only remaining hope.
The budgeted daily operating cost of St. Jude is $2 million. Approximately 75% of the budgeted costs of St. Jude are covered by public contributions. It's interesting to note that the average contribution is about $30.00.
As a Mother, it brings me great joy to know that my fundraising is helping children and families in the most dire of circumstances and offering them hope. As St. Jude Founder, Danny Thomas said: "No child should die in the dawn of life."
Why We Support St. Jude
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for anything – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate for childhood cancer from less than 20% when it first opened its doors to 80% today. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer.