Find the Hero in You.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility anywhere. Discoveries made here have completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. In 1962, when the hospital’s doors first opened, the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, was 4 percent. Today, the survival rate for this once deadly disease is 94 percent thanks to research and treatment protocols developed at St. Jude.

Families at St. Jude never pay for treatments that are not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. On average, 5,400 active patients visit the hospital each year, most of whom are treated on an outpatient basis. The hospital’s daily operating costs are nearly $1.4 million which are primarily covered by public contributions, like yours.

Meet St. Jude Patient Daniel

Daniel was an outgoing, energetic kid who loved sports of all kinds, from soccer to downhill skiing, but when he started losing his energy, his mother, Lisa, took note. After a blow to the head one day at school made Daniel’s eyes cross, Lisa rushed him to a vision specialist. Tests revealed a mass in the back of Daniel’s brain.

A local neurosurgeon told the family he suspected Daniel suffered from ATRT, a rare, high-grade tumor that occurs most commonly in younger children. Daniel underwent surgery that confirmed the ATRT diagnosis. But their neurosurgeon offered the family hope during this devastating time: He showed them a research article from doctors at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which stated older children with ATRT have a chance of being cured.

At St. Jude, Daniel received radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Daniel and his mother are back home now, and Daniel’s cancer is in remission. Lisa says she missed her husband and son back home in Auburn, but says the sacrifice was worth it. “St. Jude is just amazing,” said Lisa. “This is where Daniel needs to be.”

Meet St. Jude Patient Talyn

Talyn is a precocious toddler who chatters non-stop and loves to play with her puppy. But a year ago, her parents worried about their daughter’s future after doctors found Talyn suffered from bilateral retinoblastoma, a cancer of the eye.

During a routine checkup, Talyn’s pediatrician had noticed a white glare in one of her eyes. She sent the family to a specialist, who saw the glare in both of Talyn’s eyes. The specialist was familiar with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and referred the family there immediately.

At St. Jude, Talyn received seven months of chemotherapy. She also underwent three laser surgeries on her eyes. Talyn responded well totreatment, and her doctors are hopeful they were able to save her eyesight. Talyn finished treatment in December 2008. She’s back home in North Dakota and returns to St. Jude every six weeks for checkups.

Meet St. Jude Patient Lea

When Lea began to run fevers and lose her energy, a trip to the doctor yielded a diagnosis of an ear infection. He prescribed antibiotics, but they did nothing to alleviate Lea’s symptoms.

Soon, Lea lost her appetite and began to lose weight. Then, one afternoon, she passed out. Her mother rushed her to the local emergency room, where a doctor on staff believed Lea’s symptoms were characteristic of leukemia. He ordered blood work and, once the results came in, referred the family to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital immediately.

At St. Jude, doctors confirmed a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer. Lea’s treatment protocol included 120 weeks of chemotherapy. She responded well to treatment and her cancer went into remission. Lea returns to St. Jude for regular checkups. She loves America’s Next Top Model and posing for the camera.

Where Your Dollars Go

Physical therapy per hour $344
One day of oxygen $417
Average charge per inpatient per day $5,719
ICU daily room rate $2,836
Average charge per outpatient visit per day $2,329
Platelet count $42
Complete blood count $52
Chest X-ray, one view $130

Click here to donate now, and help out kids like Daniel, Talyn and Lea.