St. Jude Research Hospital

At TCDG Studios, we love looking at local charities with great purpose and showing them appreciation for the work they do. One such charity is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Unsure of his life’s direction, a young Danny Thomas sought guidance from St. JudeThaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes. If the saint would point to the path he should take, Danny vowed to build a shrine in his name. Success followed Danny’s plea and soon after, the legendary entertainer set about fulfilling his vow to St. Jude. The result was St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

More than a half-century ago, Danny Thomas envisioned a hospital that would treat children regardless of race, color, creed or their family’s ability to pay – a facility where research would shine light into the darkness. His vision became a reality when St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital opened February 4, 1962. Since then, St. Jude has become one of the world’s premier pediatric research institutions.

“Your child has cancer.” No words strike more fear into a parent’s heart. In the early 1960s, those words meant almost certain death. The overall survival rate for childhood cancer was less than 20% for the most common form of childhood cancer, which was acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). At that time no institution was dedicated to fighting the scourge of of childhood cancer. Once St. Jude opened, the battle began. In the 1970s, Leukemia can no longer be considered an incurable disease. By the time Danny Thomas dies in 1991, the survival rate for ALL reaches 73%. In 1994, the survival rate reached 94%.

At St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, science matters. From molecular breakthroughs to innovative therapies, our research discovers the cures of tomorrow, and saves children's lives today. St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.