St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital - Ways to Help

 Established over 50 years ago, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital dedicates its resources and efforts to researching and treating pediatric catastrophic conditions to advance cures and ways of prevention. St. Jude has treated children across the United States and worldwide. When the research hospital was founded in 1962, the childhood cancer survival rate was at 20 percent – currently, treatments invented at St. Jude helped this rate rise to more than 80 percent. St. Jude has never sent a bill for its patients' families, nor for treatment, housing, travel, or food. Instead, unlike other hospitals, most funding comes from individual donations and fundraising contributions.

There are several ways to get involved with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. For example, it is possible to make a donation every month and become a Partner in Hope. Monthly donors can start with a donation of $5 or more, and they can change or cancel their gift at any time. In addition, St. Jude sends exclusive communications to Partners in Hope so they can keep track of the research progress – donors also get an annual printed calendar. Finally, if the donation is over $19 monthly, Partners in Hope also receive a T-shirt in their chosen design.

Additionally, there is a possibility to make a one-time gift, and donate, create a fund or leave a legacy in the memory of the life of a loved one. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is also on AmazonSmile, so it is possible to help by choosing St. Jude as the AmazonSmile charity so that Amazon donates 0.5 percent of each eligible purchase. Legacy and planned giving are other ways to give. The donor can choose between planning a gift for tomorrow, donating today, or even leaving a legacy to support the Hospital's mission.

Fundraising is another way St. Jude funds children's treatment and research developments, and the community can help by creating their fundraiser event. For example, St. Jude's website states that $114 in funds can help provide wagons to help St. Jude's patients get around the Hospital. On the other hand, $228 can help provide a share of chemotherapy for patients, while $684 could help pay for food and other necessities for 10 St. Jude's families.

There are many ways to fundraise for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, such as by creating a Facebook fundraiser (the Hospital's website features step-by-step instructions for that.) Other ways include promoting or joining a sports or fitness event that supports the Hospital; or joining a St. Jude auction event or gala, which are hosted virtually around the country. Individuals and teams can also choose to dedicate a special life moment, such as a birthday, or honor someone special while raising funds to support the Hospital's patients and families.

St. Jude also hosts the Dream Home giveaway to raise funds and fulfill its mission. The giveaway's prize is a house, and one can buy tickets in 44 cities across the US. Some sponsors of the Dream Home giveaway include companies such as Bosch, Brizo, Kichler, and Shaw Floors. Sponsors donate materials, time, and expertise to build the houses that St. Jude will give to the winners. Additionally, sponsors can also become TV and print media partners to help St. Jude spread the word about its mission and the giveaway program.