Selena’s family honors singer’s memory with St. Jude collaboration

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As the world remembers the 30th anniversary of the enduring legacy of Tejano music icon Selena, her family is marking the occasion in a meaningful way — with a special collaboration with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. 

It includes the launch of a limited-edition Selena tribute “This Shirt Saves Lives” T-shirt. Fans can support this initiative and get the T-shirt by signing up to be a Partner in Hope® by becoming a St. Jude monthly donor. All proceeds will go entirely to St. Jude.

As a singer, songwriter and fashion designer, Selena captivated hearts and minds with her vibrant personality and groundbreaking work, including her successful crossover from Spanish to English music.   

Tragically, her life was cut short in 1995 at age 23. However, Selena's legacy continues to inspire and uplift through her timeless songs and the efforts of her family. In April 2025, Selena was honored with a Recording Industry Association of America Lifetime Achievement plaque in recognition of 17 million certified units sold across her career, including the 62x Platinum “Dreaming of You,” which is the highest certified Latin album in history. The honor was presented at St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee, in recognition to the enduring impact of her music and cultural legacy.

 Selena was a multi-talented artist whose passions extended far beyond the stage, including her love for children’s causes. Her older sister, Suzette, CEO and president of Q Productions and the executor of Selena's estate, humorously refers to herself as a “drummer,” recalling her time playing the drums with the band Selena y Los Dinos. Suzette recently visited St. Jude for the first time and reflected on the experience. 

 

Your family has a history with St. Jude. Your brother and your father have toured the hospital before. What were your first impressions upon arriving at St. Jude and learning about the lifesaving work that is being done here for the children?    

It was inspiring. I was able to meet Dr. Victor Torres, who’s a researcher, and it was mind blowing to see the technology and the processes used for the research and how St. Jude houses all this (work). It was extremely interesting and impactful to me.  

What stood out to you during your campus tour?   

Walking into the Danny Thomas Research Center building's main area, with all the flags of the different doctors and researchers that are working here on campus, from all over the world, for one united purpose: finding a cure. That was extremely impactful for me. I will leave with that visual in my head. It just really touched me that we all are here to help one another. And it’s beautiful that St. Jude is doing that.  

Can you tell us why you and your family decided to mark this anniversary in such a significant and generous way to benefit St. Jude?   

Selena’s main thing has always been (helping) kids. Her main goal was to advocate for them. She wanted to go to school and tell kids, ‘Hey, it’s fine if you don’t wanna go to college as long as you get your high school diploma, that’s what’s important.’ She understood that children were our future. Through The Selena Foundation we have always supported organizations that have something to do with children, like giving school supplies for kids who cannot afford them.    

Tell us about the exclusive design of the T-shirt. How did the idea of combining Selena's silhouette with this mission come about?   

When the hospital reached out to me in regard to creating a T-shirt and working together to help raise money, it just felt right; it was a no-brainer. I think that if she was here, she would have done it herself and you would have been talking to her instead of me. In terms of the design, the T-shirt features a white rose, which was her favorite flower, so we just came up with this idea of creating a flower and Selena’s (silhouette) is the stem which holds up this beautiful flower.  

What do you hope people feel when they see this T-shirt?   

I hope they become Ángeles de Esperanza® (Partners in Hope®) and get it. To me it feels like a win-win situation, because if you love Selena and you are a big fan, clearly you want to rep her. A hundred percent (of the profits) from this T-shirt will go back into [St. Jude needs and] the research of childhood cancer. I hope everyone supports it and what it represents, that it is not just about Selena, but it is about saving lives.  

What aspect of St. Jude's mission resonated with you the most? 

One of the beautiful things I learned today was that the St. Jude mission is not just in the United States, but worldwide. I had the privilege of meeting some patients from different places who are getting help with their cancer treatment. I didn’t realize how huge St. Jude is and that it is reaching out globally. This is another reason for people to support this beautiful project.  

As a mother and a grandmother, how was this experience for you?  

Extremely touching. Especially during my interaction with Valentina, a 5-year-old patient from Ecuador. Valentina’s energy was amazing! She was happy and she touched my heart. I don’t think I will ever forget meeting her. And as a grandmother, it made me feel blessed.  

How has your view on life and family evolved over the years?  

When (my) sister passed, I continued living life, but my whole view on life changed. When something tragic happens, it totally shakes your world. And there’s also the “plus” of that and it is that it opens your eyes to things you were not aware of. I am more aware (now) of how blessed we are, because we have health and we have our loved ones, and because of what God can do for us when we reach out to him.  

What will you take away from your visit to St. Jude?  

Coming here has definitely impacted my life, but it has also opened my eyes, and I am very grateful that my grandchildren are ok. I will leave my heart behind here with Valentina. I promise I will. I’ve been so blessed with so many beautiful people during this visit. You feel love when you walk into this place. And I will walk away with that. I will never forget that, and I hope to be back.   

 In one word, how would you describe St. Jude?  

Hope.