Before walking through the doors of St. Jude, the faces of all the cancer fighters I have known over the past 5 years poured over me like an ocean wave.
Anna S. - 9, 2012 Ovarian Cancer SURVIVOR
Marcy G - 2012, Breast Cancer SURVIVOR
Adrienne H - 40+, 2012, Breast Cancer FIGHTING THE BATTLE
Dr. Kevin L. - 40+, 2013 Lymphoma SURVIVOR
Mindy D. - 45+, 2013 Breast Cancer SURVIVOR
Dr. Laureen K - 50, 2014 Breast Cancer SURVIVOR
Scott N. - 40+, 2014 Chronic Myeloid Leukemia - Remission SURVIVOR
My Mom - 76, 2014 Lung Cancer LOST THE BATTLE
My Aunt R - 81, 2014 Lung Cancer LOST THE BATTLE
Ashley P - 40+, 2016 Breast Cancer FIGHTING THE BATTLE
The initial thought was of FEAR. Fear of seeing kids with brain cancer and their teary-eyed parents. Fear of smelling the horrible hospital odors that never leave your mind. Fear of not being able to stay strong.
It was all wrong. Yes, families and sick kids were right inside the main door, but everything was bright and cheerful. Kids were getting registration bracelets, babies had anklet bands on, but no one was crying. Parents almost looked at peace, knowing they were at the best possible place to care for their very sick child. There was no awful smell. St. Jude has the cleanest air I have ever experienced. I can't really describe how it smelled like fresh air.
Our tour guide, who is now a Mom, spent 3 years of her life at St. Jude, from age ten to 13. THREE YEARS. I kept thinking of my kids, mostly my 11 year old daughter, back home.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital...Finding cures. Saving children. Being born in the 1960's I remember Danny Thomas and his daughter Marlo speaking on television about this place called St. Jude. Over 50 years have gone by and I never truly realized what this place was all about.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is an incredibly special place. It is a beautiful and hopeful place! It is a hospital, a research center and a charity. This is the place that battles the HARDEST pediatric cancer cases in the world! They care for the sickest children on earth. They have treated children from every U.S. state and from countries around the globe.
There are three housing facilities for out-of-town patients and families. Tri Delta Place provides housing for those staying one to seven days. The Ronald McDonald House® of Memphis is its own non-for-profit charity that is bound by charter and contract to serve only St. Jude families. It provides residency for families staying eight to 90 days. Our group toured the St. Jude Target House which is the long-term housing facility for families staying more than 90 days.
All day my mind felt like it was playing tricks on me. I had battling thoughts throughout the day. Wow, Grace would love this Scott Hamilton Arts and Crafts space! I could totally see my family hanging out in this beautiful Brad Paisley Lodge living room. WAIT, NO, I NEVER WANT MY FAMILY TO BE HERE. This is the place that battles the HARDEST pediatric cancer cases in the world!
St. Jude is DIFFERENT from any other hospital:
- Families NEVER RECEIVE A BILL from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food - because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
- TREATMENTS INVENTED at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since it opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude won't stop working until no child dies from cancer.
- St. Jude provides children and their families a SENSE OF NORMALCY. St. Jude patients may attend on-site school, experience milestone celebrations like Kindergarten graduation or the prom, and enjoy music and art.
- The DAILY OPERATING COST for St. Jude is $2.2 million, which is primarily covered by individual contributors.
November-December is the 13th Annual St. Jude Thanks and Giving Campaign.
Shop with participating businesses and donate at the register.
Donate at www.stjude.org
Follow and share our posts tagged #ThankYouStJude #MacKid on social media channels
Follow @StJude #GiveThanks across social media
Shop the St. Jude online gift shop or their Holiday Gift Guide...I bought this for my daughter (I know ANOTHER STUFFED ANIMAL)
May your family never need the help of St. Jude. Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life and give to those who are not!
