Why donate to charity?

Benefits of donating to charity

You may be asking, why do people donate to charity? What makes them choose to give their money to help others? There are many benefits when donating to charity, ranging from how good it feels to financial advantages.

It feels good to help others

One of the main reasons people find charities to donate to is simply because it feels good to help others. Studies show that charitable giving has a positive impact on happiness. When we know we’re contributing to those in need, helping people stay safe and healthy, or giving another person (or animal) a positive outcome, we tend to feel better about ourselves.

It strengthens community

Finding and creating community is one of the most important parts of being human. When we give back to our communities, it can help us feel more connected to each other, the places we live and the world as a whole. When people are looking for a charity to donate to, they often consider causes that have impacted them or someone they know. When we donate to a charity it can help us strengthen our communities while helping others feel more connected to theirs. Those who want to make even more of an impact may start or join a giving circle as well.

St. Jude patient Liliana stands with her sister wearing matching This Shirt Saves Lives T-shirts and pointing at the camera. — St. Jude patient **Liliana** with her sister

Patient Janelle stands on a hospital bed as her dad gives her a hug. — St. Jude patient **Janelle**

You’re making an impact

Charitable donations are a great opportunity to make an impact on the lives of others. For example, when you donate to a charity like St. Jude, it helps us ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live. When you give to charity, you can help positively impact families like those at St. Jude.

It has tax benefits

Aside from the psychological and emotional benefits of donating to charity, there are also financial benefits to giving. Donations to charities and nonprofit organizations are often tax-deductible. Because St. Jude is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity, donations qualify for a tax deduction.

How does St. Jude use my donation?

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.

St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. When you donate to St. Jude, you help support care for all patients and loved ones. In addition, your donations fund innovative cancer research, which helps St. Jude save more lives.

Donations made to St. Jude help cover the following and more for our patients and their families.

Research and treatment for pediatric cancer and other life-threatening diseases
Travel, housing and food
Schooling
Psychosocial help
Toys and activities
Costly treatments and hospital stays

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How to donate to St. Jude

Donating to St. Jude is easy and only takes a few clicks. Simply choose a donation amount and frequency (one-time or monthly), then enter your information. You can even mail in your donation, if you prefer.

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St. Jude patient Lucas sits in a mask in a colorful hospital room. — St. Jude patient **Lucas**

Why support St. Jude kids?

Families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.

When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80%, and 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 help give kids with cancer around the world that chance. Together, we can save more lives.

St. Jude patient Aditya

Fundraising helps patients like Aditya

Adi was on vacation in India with his family when he began feeling sick. His parents took him to a doctor who prescribed medicine for Adi, but his fever persisted, which led to more tests at a local hospital. There, Adi received a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

Adi, who was 4, got immediate care in India, and then returned home to Tennessee. Adi began chemotherapy at a hospital near his home in January 2024, then he was referred to St. Jude.

Adi's father, Bhargav, said coming to St. Jude lifted much of the burden he had been feeling over his son’s diagnosis and treatment. Adi is described as a brave and happy boy who likes video games, Legos® and walking around the hospital. “He has given us strength to keep moving forward,” his dad said.

Read Patient Stories

Make an impact on the children of St. Jude

Because of your support, we can provide children cutting-edge treatments not covered by insurance, at no cost to families. Unlike other hospitals, the majority of funding for St. Jude comes from generous donors. Join us, and be part of our lifesaving mission.

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Why donate to charity?