Why Give To St. Jude?

I'll tell you why I do. I hate cancer and want my daughter to grow old in a World where the word "cancer" only exists in the History books. When it does, we will have St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to thank. Of that, I have no doubt. Let me tell you a little bit about why I love St. Jude.

I have had the honor of visiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis twice so far, and I will admit that before my first visit I was nervous. I was expecting a gloomy, sad place that would have me fighting back tears the entire time I was there...man, was I wrong!

Yes, you see sick children, but it still doesn't feel like a hospital. It doesn't smell like a hospital. These sweet children are playing games, laughing with friends, smiling, all while attached to some kind of medical device. It's amazing how you don't see the machinery. You don't see the sickness. You just see a child making the most out of the scariest situation ever. St. Jude gives them that, thanks to people like you who support them.

Every time I leave the hospital I am in awe. I am in awe of these children who are so seriously sick, but are not scared. I am in awe of the parents who can keep it together to be there for their beloved child. I am in awe of the doctors and staff at St. Jude who are so incredibly smart, caring, and passionate about what they do. They could probably work anywhere in the World and make a lot more money, but they stay at St. Jude because they believe in the good. Most importantly, I am in awe of the amazing amount of hope I feel when I leave there.There's the hope that a child will be healed. There's the hope that they will find the cure for cancer.

Let's be honest, there is a whole lot of bad out there right now. I am now starting to see through the eyes of a parent, and I am scared for what my daughter will have to experience and be exposed to as she gets older. I have decided, for my sanity, I will ignore the bad and choose the good. I will teach my daughter to choose and believe in the good. To me, the good is St. Jude. They treat children, and don't worry about if they will get paid. They support the terrified parents and provide them with food and shelter so they literally have nothing to worry about except their child. They are generous. They share their information and research that could save each one of us some day. There is no such thing as an "ego" at St. Jude. They are love. They are hope. They are St. Jude, and they need us.

St. Jude can't perform their magic if they don't have our support. Can you think of a better way to spend less than a dollar a day? Swinging through a drive thru for that daily cup of coffee doesn't seem so important now, does it?

Become a St. Jude Partner in Hope now online, stop by the Q98.5 studios tomorrow or Friday between 5am and 7pm and make your pledge in person, or call 1-800-467-3495 tomorrow morning and donate.

Being a St. Jude Partner in Hope is a daily reminder that you believe in the good. Thank you for joining in the fight against childhood cancer with us.