Sasha Fields

Dr. Cathy Moore

Essay 3 Rough Draft
April 14, 2016
St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital
St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is one of the
worlds premier pediatric cancer research centers. Its mission is to find cures for children with
cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. 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, some acquired and inherited immunodeficiencys, sickle cell
disease, infectious diseases and genetic disorder.
The current basic and clinical research at St. Jude includes work in:
gene therapy
bone marrow transplantation
chemotherapy
biochemistry of normal and cancerous cells
radiation treatment
blood diseases
resistance to therapy
viruses
hereditary diseases
influenza
pediatric AIDS
psychological effects of catastrophic illnesses

St. Jude also conducts long-term bio statistical investigations on the long-term outcomes of its
patients and is the only pediatric research hospital that has been awarded a National Cancer
Institute cancer center support grant.
About 7,800 active 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 has 78 beds
for patients requiring hospitalization during treatment. St. Jude has treated children from all 50
states and from around the world. Patients at St. Jude are referred by a physician, and nearly all
have a disease currently under study and are eligible for a clinical trial.
St. Jude was founded by entertainer Danny Thomas and opened on February 4, 1962. St.
Jude is supported primarily by donations raised by its national fundraising and awareness
organization, ALSAC, which was established by Danny expressly for the purpose of funding St.
Jude. The hospital also receives assistance from federal grants (mainly through the National
Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute), insurance and investments.
One of the most significant events to occur at St. Jude happened in 1996 when Peter
Doherty, PhD, of the Department of Immunology was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or
Medicine. He shares the award with Rolf M. Zinkernagel, MD, of the University of Zurich. Their
findings have led to breakthroughs in the understanding and treatment of viral infections and
cancers, and in the development of organ transplant procedures and vaccines. It is the highest
award a scientist can win.
The St. Jude Affiliate Program makes treatments developed as clinical trials at St. Jude
Childrens Research Hospital available to more children by offering much of the care close to
home. Here are the other St. Jude Hospital locations:

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The St. Jude Baton Rouge Affiliate Clinic
Charlotte, North Carolina
The St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at Novant Health Hemby Childrens Hospital
Huntsville, Alabama
The St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children
Johnson City, Tennessee
The St. Jude Tri-Cities Affiliate Clinic
Peoria, Illinois
The Jim and Trudy Maloof St. Jude Midwest Affiliate Clinic
Shreveport, Louisiana
The St. Jude Shreveport Affiliate Clinic
Springfield, Missouri
The St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at Mercy Childrens Hospital-Springfield

The mission of the International Outreach Program at St. Jude is to improve the survival
rate of children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases worldwide, through the sharing of
knowledge, technology and organizational skills. There are currently 24 official partner sites in
17 different countries around the world. International Outreach helps partner medical institutions
develop tailored evidenced-based protocols for treating children with cancer and other
catastrophic diseases. St. Jude physicians serve as mentors to physicians at our partner sites and
consult on difficult cases. We train nurses in best practices in clinical care and work with
pathologists on techniques for accurate diagnosis. We also partner with local fundraising
foundations that support the medical programs. This model has proven to be highly effective in
providing children in developing countries access to modern treatment and care.

St. Jude continues to define the forefront of clinical care and research by aligning with
two Southern California institutions: Rady Childrens Hospital, San Diego; and the University of
California, San Diego (UCSD). The unique alliance is designed to benefit both patient care and
research efforts. It will enable St. Jude, Rady Childrens and UCSD to combine their resources
and expertise to pursue clinical trials and basic and translational research.

"St. Jude Facts." - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Web. 09 Apr. 2016. <https://www.stjude.org/media-resources/media-tools/facts.html>.