Today I want to talk about a cause that is very near and dear to my heart, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St. Jude is my sorority’s designated philanthropy — and frankly, the main reason that I chose to rush Delta Delta Delta.

This wonderful organization is dedicated to treating those affected by childhood cancer and other serious, chronic illnesses with not only medicine, but also lots of love.

St. Jude ensures that families pay absolutely nothing during their child’s treatment at the hospital. Yes, you read that correctly. St. Jude covers the costs of treatment, housing, food, and more — so that the only thing a family has to focus on is making sure their child gets better.

“No child should die in the dawn of life.”

Danny Thomas, founder

St. Jude’s Mission

The mission of St. Jude is to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment.

St. Jude Quick Facts

• St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and from around the world.
• The daily operating cost of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is $1.9 million — mostly covered by public donations.
• On average, 7,800 active patients visit the hospital every year.
• St. Jude is the first institution established for the sole purpose of conducting basic and clinical research and treatment into catastrophic childhood diseases, mainly cancer.
• St. Jude was the first pediatric cancer research institution to place doctors, scientists and patients “all under one roof,” creating a worldwide model for “bench-to-bedside” research and treatment of childhood cancers and other life-threatening diseases.
• St. Jude has developed protocols that have helped push overall survival rates for childhood cancers from less than 20 percent when the hospital opened in 1962 to 80 percent today.

Tri Delta/Alpha Mu Chapter Stats

• Last year, the Alpha Mu chapter (at W&M) raised $38,000.
• Last year, Tri Delta nationally raised $7.8 million.
• Tri Delta committed to raising $60 million in 10 years … and in a little over 4 years we had already reached $30 million!

What your Donation can do

• $10 = New play area toy
• $30 = Meals for a St. Jude family
  
• $57 = Necessities when far from home
• $100 = One pair of pediatric crutches
• $250 = One red blood cell transfusion
• $500 = One hour of physical therapy

My St. Jude Moment

This is a cause that is so near and dear to my heart for two main reasons. First, because I want to be a pediatric oncologist one day. I am a neuroscience major with a psychology minor on the pre-medical track at William & Mary. I am incredibly passionate and focused on my dream of going to medical school and becoming a doctor.

I have always had a special connection to children that I believe can be translated to my future profession in medicine. If I were to work in oncology in some way, I could positively impact kids’ lives forever. I would want to create a loving support system as they battle a serious disease.

Additionally, my life has been affected by cancer. Although I don’t want to get into too much detail, I can say that giving back through St. Jude has been such a rewarding and fulfilling experience. With every donation, the life of a child battling cancer — and their family — will be positively changed forever.

How You Can Help

You can share your love and support with the kids of St. Jude in so many easy ways.

• Donate! Donate any amount straight to St. Jude on my behalf using my link.
• Spread the love! Send that link to your friends and family — anyone who you think might donate!
• Venmo me (emmasophiemoore) and I will make a donation on your behalf.

Thank you for supporting my efforts to help the kids of St. Jude! Because of donations from people like you, Tri Delta women can continue to help “children live, scientists learn, and St. Jude lead” in its mission to cure childhood cancer and other serious diseases.