Our mission statement
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.
St. Jude founder Danny Thomas
What is St. Jude?
Entertainer Danny Thomas founded St. Jude in 1962. Since then, our researchers and doctors have worked to turn laboratory breakthroughs into lifesaving treatments for children in the United States and around the world.
What is St. Jude known for?
St. Jude specializes in care for some of the toughest pediatric cases, all while investing in resources and technologies for cutting-edge scientific research. And families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
Unlike other hospitals, the majority of funding for St. Jude comes from generous donors.
Seeking treatment at St. Jude?
Our approach makes us different from most children’s hospitals. St. Jude is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. St. Jude has also been named among the top children’s cancer hospitals in the United States by U.S. News & World Report since the ranking was first published in 2008.
We treat children with cancer, blood disorders, neurological disorders, infectious diseases, and other related life-threatening diseases. Acceptance to St. Jude may be based on potential eligibility for an open clinical trial.
No child should die in the dawn of life.
Danny Thomas, founder
Why give to St. Jude?
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
St. Jude has helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% in 1962 to 80% today. We won’t stop until no child dies from cancer.
Every child deserves a chance to live their best life and celebrate every moment. When you support St. Jude, you can help make cures possible for kids with cancer. Together, we can save more lives.
Is St. Jude a nonprofit?
Yes, St. Jude is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
What is ALSAC?
ALSAC, or American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, is the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude. ALSAC raises an estimated 89% of the necessary funding for St. Jude from our generous donors.
Learn more about St. Jude
Explore the remarkable people, moments and discoveries of St. Jude
Our stories
Learn about our patients, the treatments and research, and the inspirational stories that happen every day.
Research and news
See our most recent publications, and learn what we've been working on.