When cartoonist Steve McGarry and his family — wife Debbie and twin sons — moved to California from England in 1989, they were not familiar with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
That soon changed. Moved by the hospital’s mission, the McGarrys began supporting St. Jude shortly after their move. And now he and his colleagues in the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) are encouraging others to support the hospital.
McGarry, known for his work as artist and writer of the newspaper feature Biography, and story artist for the films Despicable Me 2, Minions, and The Secret Life of Pets, serves as president of the NCS Foundation, the cartoonist group’s charitable organization. He also helped create Cartooning for Kids, which brought a group of cartoonists to St. Jude in 2015 to draw for St. Jude patients and raise awareness for the hospital’s work in fighting childhood cancer.
“It’s so rewarding, so illuminating, when you sit down and draw for youngsters and see what pleasure they get out of it.”
Cartoonist Steve McGarry
After that initial visit to St. Jude, the 500-member NCS decided to host its 2016 Reuben Awards, the society’s most prestigious honors, in Memphis, Tennessee, with a return visit to St. Jude. The group again drew cartoons for St. Jude patients and families, which McGarry hopes will become an annual occurrence, and hosted a fundraiser dinner on the St. Jude campus that raised $70,000.
During the first week of August, the NCS hosted an auction of original artwork that raised more than $11,000 for St. Jude.
The NCS has long been involved with the USO, visiting troops stateside and abroad. McGarry said it was easy to expand that charitable effort to helping children.
“I didn’t even have to think about it,” McGarry said. “To me, St. Jude is synonymous with children’s healthcare, and everybody felt the same.”
McGarry said he admires that 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. And he wants to continue growing the NCS Foundation’s work with St. Jude.
“We would like to be part of the St. Jude family nationwide,” McGarry said. “As St. Judevolunteers start to put their events together, be aware that there are cartoonists in the area who want to roll up their sleeves and join in.”
You, too, can help give hope to kids who are fighting life-threatening illnesses.
Read more inspiring stories
-
Patient reflects on 60th anniversary as childhood cancer survivor
Patient reflects on her 60th anniversary as a childhood cancer survivor
-
From Pain Crises to Good Vibes
Rashawn Hendrix
-
Patient finds support, help and hope for Friedrich’s ataxia
Taylor Hurdle is taking part in a clinical trial for Friedreich’s ataxia at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
-
Finding Hope in Clinical Trials
A medulloblastoma clinical trial offered hope to 7-year-old Kinlee Johnson and her family. Learn more.
-
Family chooses St. Jude because of SAMD9/SAMD9L researcher
Family chooses St. Jude for care because of its expertise in SAMD9/SAMD9L syndrome.
-
Participating in clinical trials to help cure the next person
Patients like Corey Luellen have benefitted from gene editing for sickle cell disease. Luellen participated in a clinical trial for the treatment because he wanted to help others.
-
Insights Learned Through Cancer Experience Now Help Others
St. Jude survivor Tristan Elsener has survived multiple bouts of cancer. He and his family have gained insights that can help others. Learn about the Caregivers Share podcast.
-
Research may help Camille take her first steps
Research conducted by the Center for Experimental Neurotherapeutics may help patients like Camille, who has type 2 spinal muscular atrophy, gain the ability to walk.
-
Surviving childhood cancer is just the beginning of Darshana’s story
Darshana Magan survived cancer 30 years ago, but her treatment caused long-term health issues. Read how she cares for her health and encourages other survivors.
-
Molecular diagnostics give Fletcher what some thought impossible: a diagnosis and treatment plan
Molecular diagnostics give Fletcher Fazenbaker what some thought impossible: a diagnosis and treatment plan for infant-type hemispheric glioma (IHG), a subtype of high-grade glioma — a rare brain tumor — that was not classified by the World Health Organization’s brain tumor classification guide until 2021
-
Perspective from the courtside
USA Pickleball Association President Jack Thomas knows the good work of USAPA’s designated charity, St. Jude. His grandson was a patient.
-
Flipping for St. Jude
Brianna was inspired by a television commercial for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to lead a Push-up/Pull-up Challenge fundraiser at her school.
-
Generations of giving
This multi-generational family is devoted to raising money for St. Jude. Find out the many ways they are giving back.
-
Emily's pledge
Former patient Emily is taking a major step in her life, by attending college and pledging to both to Tri Delta and St. Jude.
-
Serving aces for St. Jude
Every year a Mississippi tennis tournament honors children who have battled childhood cancer by raising funds for St. Jude."