Make a Difference Tuesday (oops!): St Jude Children's Research Hospital

In case you don’t know this, St Jude is the patron saint of lost causes. So, even though I was pretty much raised in a brand of Christianity that thinks “Saint, Schmaint” I always think, that if I had a patron saint, it would probably be this guy.

St Jude Children’s Research Hospital doesn’t believe in lost causes.

They DO believe in providing patient support and care to critically ill children who are suffering from catastrophic illnesses.

They also believe that keeping a child healthy – in some cases, keeping a child alive – should not financially destroy families that are already on edge. So they don’t charge for treatments that aren’t covered by insurance.  Instead, they rely on donations and support to help them to do their good work.

And people? The work they do is REALLY good.

There are lots of ways you can support St Jude.  I tend to do it through shopping, either here: http://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/index.do or through giving donations at stores that have partnered with St Jude. (For example, I was checking out at Pottery Barn before Christmas and I was asked if I wanted to donate.  Easy. No effort. Donation made.)

However, you can also help out in other ways.  You can volunteer your time – if you are interested, you can find events here: https://www.stjude.org/volunteers

If you want to donate without actually buying something (I get it, some people don’t need more stuff), you can also go here: https://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/donation.do?cID=13522&pID=18290&fnl=FaceSuperNav

And if you know someone who might need the services of St Jude? Their doctor can refer them; the instructions for patient referrals are here: http://www.stjude.org/referapatient

To say that it’s difficult when a child is catastrophically ill is, maybe, the most ridiculously understated thing I have ever written. To say that an organization that has dedicated itself to helping those children in a way that supports both the child and the child’s family is worthy of support is, again, an understatement.

So if you’re looking for a cause that literally saves lives? This might be one for you.