Thanks and Giving

Thanks and Giving is the national fund-raising program of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a leading pediatric treatment and research facility focused on children's catastrophic diseases that was founded by entertainer Danny Thomas. The program, created in 2004, unites celebrities, media, retail and corporate partners in fund-raising activities from Thanksgiving until the New Year.

Thanks and Giving was created by St. Jude National Outreach Director Marlo Thomas and her siblings Terre and Tony Thomas, children of hospital founder Danny Thomas. Customers nationwide are asked to help raise funds at participating retailers by adding a donation at check out or by purchasing specialty items to benefit St. Jude.

Unique mission of St. Jude

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, founded by entertainer Danny Thomas, is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatments that are not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay.

St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center that fully pays for lodging, food and travel for patients and their families.

Since opening in 1962, St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and more than 70 foreign countries.St. Jude treats about 160 patients each day, and has 4,900 patients in active status. [ [http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=403c6f9523e70110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD St. Jude Overview ] ]

In 1962, the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood cancer, was 4 percent. Today, the survival rate for ALL is 94 percent thanks to research and treatment protocols developed at St. Jude. [ [http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=5b25e64c5b470110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD Cancer Survival Rates ] ]

The hospital’s daily operating costs are $1,216,247, which are primarily covered by public contributions. [ [http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=403c6f9523e70110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD St. Jude Overview ] ] Eighty-five cents of every dollar St. Jude receives goes directly to research and treatment. [ [http://www.tg.stjude.org/ 2007 Thanks and Giving Campaign ] ]

Research findings at St. Jude are shared with doctors and scientists all over the world. St. Jude also enjoys a worldwide reputation as a teaching facility.

2007 corporate partners

7-Eleven, Inc.	HSN (Home Shopping Network)
American Airlines	Janie and Jack
American Kiosk Management	Kay Jewelers
Ann Taylor	Kmart
Ann Taylor Factory Store	Marshalls
Ann Taylor LOFT	The Melting Pot
AOL	Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)
AutoZone	National Beverage
Bandolino	National Football League (NFL)
BJ’s Wholesale	Nine West
Brooks Brothers	Pottery Barn
Busch Gardens	Pottery Barn Bed + Bath
Casual Male XL	Pottery Barn Kids
Chili's Grill & Bar	Rochester
Club Libby Lu	Sag Harbor
The Coffee Beanery	Saks Fifth Avenue
CVS/pharmacy	Seaworld
Diane von Furstenberg	St. Louis Rams (NFL)
Dick's Sporting Goods	Target
Dollar General	West Elm
Domino’s Pizza	Westfield Shoppingtowns
Easy Spirit	Williams-Sonoma
GNC (General Nutrition Centers)	Williams-Sonoma Home
Hershey's	Yahoo!

2007 celebrity partners

Jennifer Aniston

Antonio Banderas

Bernie Mac

Ray Romano

Robin Williams

References

External links

* [http://www.stjude.org St.Jude Children's Research Hospital Web site]
* [http://www.tg.stjude.org/ Thanks and Giving Web site]