Founder's Day
Celebrating the legacy of Danny Thomas and the opening of St. Jude more than 60 years ago
On Feb. 4, 1962, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital opened in Memphis, Tenn. It was all because of one man's dream — that "no child should die in the dawn of life."
St. Jude founder Danny Thomas with a patient
More than 60 years ago a hospital opened in Memphis
The overall survival rate for childhood cancer was 20%, and hospitals were still segregated in much of the South.
With St. Jude, Danny Thomas' vision ensured that a new kind of care dawned. Children were treated regardless of their race, ethnicity beliefs or a family’s ability to pay.
To this day, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so a family can focus on helping their child live.
Our mission goes global
Today, treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall survival rate for childhood cancer in the U.S. to more than 80%. But we can do more. In many countries, one in five children with cancer will live.
Recently, St. Jude launched a historic six-year, $12.9 billion strategic plan — in the midst of a global pandemic — that will expand patient care and accelerate research in the U.S. and globally for children with catastrophic diseases.
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.
St. Jude supporters at the St. Jude Memphis Marathon
You are part of our legacy
For more than 60 years, supporters of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have been united around one purpose: that "no child should die in the dawn of life." Treatments for pediatric cancer at St. Jude can last up to three years or more with an average cost of approximately $450,000 including travel, housing and food
Unlike other hospitals, the majority of funding for St. Jude comes from generous donors.
Because of your support, we can provide children cutting-edge treatments not covered by insurance, at no cost to families.
Terre, Tony and Marlo Thomas
A family's dedication
Danny's children took up the mantle after he passed away in 1991. The Thomas family has dedicated their lives to helping us continue our lifesaving mission: Finding cures. Saving children.®
Help us fulfill our lifesaving mission: Finding cures. Saving children.® Everywhere.
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Timeline: From Dream to Reality
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ALSAC Preamble
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St. Jude in the civil rights era
From the beginning, Danny Thomas wanted St. Jude to help all desperately ill boys and girls, regardless of a family’s race, religion or financial status.
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Our unique operating model
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