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Mission
The mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is to find cures for children with catastrophic illnesses through research and treatment.
Research Focus
Research efforts are directed at understanding the molecular, genetic and chemical bases of catastrophic diseases in children, identifying cures for such diseases and promoting their prevention. Research is focused specifically on cancers, acquired and inherited immunodeficiencies and genetic disorders.
Current Research
The current basic and clinical research at St. Jude includes work in gene therapy, bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy, the biochemistry of normal and cancerous cells, radiation treatment, blood diseases, resistance to therapy, viruses, hereditary diseases, influenza, pediatric AIDS and psychological effects of catastrophic illnesses. St. Jude also conducts long-term biostatistical investigations on its patients and is the only pediatric research hospital
"Conported by a National Cancer Institute cancer center support grant.
Expansion Plans
St. Jude is in the midst of a five-year expansion that will bolster the hospital’s research efforts and more than double the size of the St. Jude campus. The $1 billion plan includes establishment of the Children’s Infection Defense Center and expansion of the hospital’s International Outreach Program.
Patients
About 4,300 patients are seen at St. Jude yearly, most of whom are treated on a continuing outpatient basis as part of ongoing research programs. The hospital also maintains 56 beds for patients requiring hospitalization during treatment.
To date, St. Jude has treated more than 19,000 children from across the United States and 60 foreign countries.
Patients at St. Jude are accepted by physician referral when the child or adolescent is newly diagnosed or suspected of having a disease under research and treatment by the St. Jude staff.
The American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities®
(ALSAC®), the fund-raising arm of St. Jude, covers all costs of care beyond those reimbursable by third party payments and total costs when no insurance is available. After an initial evaluation, assistance with transportation and local living expenses can be provided.
Founding
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was founded by entertainer Danny Thomas and opened in 1962. It is supported primarily by funds from volunteer contributions raised by
ALSAC. The national fund-raising organization was established by Danny Thomas expressly for the purpose of funding St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. St. Jude also receives assistance from federal grants (mainly through the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute), insurance and investments.
Nobel Prize
One of the most significant events to occur at St. Jude happened in 1996 when Peter Doherty, PhD, Immunology, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine. He was recognized for key discoveries he made about the workings of the immune system. It is the highest award a scientist can win.
Operations
Operations are overseen by the Boards of Governors and Directors. The research activities are reviewed annually by the Scientific Advisory Board, composed of internationally prominent physicians and scientists.
The hospital's daily operating costs are fast approaching $1 million a day, which are primarily covered by public contributions. St. Jude has about 2,400 employees.
Affiliates
St. Jude currently has four affiliate hospitals: the St. Jude Midwest Affiliate in Peoria, Illinois; LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, Louisiana; Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and the St. Jude Tri–Cities Affiliate in Johnson City, Tennessee.
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