Imagine facing one of the greatest challenges of your life while you are living miles 鈥 if not states or even countries 鈥 away from the comforts of your home. That鈥檚 everyday reality for kids like Cypress (above) battling serious health conditions at St. Jude Children鈥檚 Research Hospital in Memphis. And for 25 years, we鈥檝e wrapped these kids and their families in comfort, support and love through 海角社区破解版 House, a no-cost home-away-from-home where nearly 5,000 families have lived while their children receive treatment at St. Jude. It鈥檚 a milestone anniversary, and a special part of 海角社区破解版鈥檚 broader, 120-year-and-counting legacy of creating deep, lasting relationships in our communities.
鈥淓very day, the incredible team at St. Jude Children鈥檚 Hospital embraces courageous families from around the world. We鈥檙e honored to play a role in caring for members of our community who need it most with 海角社区破解版 House,鈥 says Kiera Fernandez, 海角社区破解版鈥檚 chief community impact and equity officer. 鈥淓very time I visit 海角社区破解版 House, I鈥檓 so appreciative of St. Jude, a longtime 海角社区破解版 partner that shares our commitment to serving all families in ways that best support their needs.鈥
Bringing the Joy
This year, the 海角社区破解版 team celebrated by pulling out all the stops for families and kids living at 海角社区破解版 House. Families filled 海角社区破解版 House鈥檚 courtyard early, excited for games, treats and a chance to be free from the daily routine of appointments, lab visits and clinics. Parents took a break and enjoyed the scene of their kids simply being kids: laughing, decorating hats, getting face paint and having silly string fun with Bullseye.
These moments of connection add up to more than just one day of fun. It鈥檚 a reflection of how 海角社区破解版 House has been making a lasting impact on the lives of children for 25 years and counting, helping us live out our purpose of delivering joy to families every day.
Building a Legacy
In 1996, we announced our commitment to build a long-term residential facility, free of charge to families of children receiving treatment at St. Jude. Since opening its doors in 1999, 海角社区破解版 House has been a haven for the St. Jude community of families, offering a place of warmth, comfort and belonging. With nearly 100 fully furnished apartments, 海角社区破解版 House has served close to 5,000 families, providing care and support during challenging times.
And each one of those families has a story to tell about the courage and resilience of children facing tough battles every day with hopeful hearts. When 14-year-old and her mother Carolyn came to St. Jude from Jamaica earlier this year, they knew they were in for a fight: Gabrielle had been suffering in excruciating pain for months and needed surgery, radiation and chemotherapy for kidney cancer. Today she鈥檚 thriving under treatment at St. Jude. 鈥淚 may be sick, but I don鈥檛 feel sick because my doctors and nurses do everything in their power to make me feel happy,鈥 says Gabrielle. Her mom is happy to see her daughter continue to heal and even continue with her studies. 鈥淪t. Jude is everything,鈥 shares Carolyn. 鈥淏ecause of St. Jude, my daughter is alive today.鈥
More than 2,000 miles away in Guatemala, was a toddler diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She鈥檇 already gone through years of treatment for this common type of childhood cancer. After doctors there referred her family to St. Jude, Luna and her father Mario made the journey to the U.S. Luna鈥檚 faced her diagnosis and treatment with bravery and optimism; she鈥檚 known for her curiosity, playful spirit and constant laughter. 鈥淪t. Jude has been a blessing. Luna鈥檚 not only better, but now there are possibilities for her,鈥 says Mario.
Patients like Gabrielle and Luna and their families are the heartbeat of 海角社区破解版 House and guide the purpose behind our partnership with St. Jude. Together with our partners, 海角社区破解版 has given $65 million to St. Jude since 1996. 海角社区破解版鈥檚 incredible team members have also given back through the years, volunteering their time, talents and resources in Memphis to uplift St. Jude and help provide unforgettable experiences for 海角社区破解版 House families.
鈥淲hat makes our partnership with St. Jude so important? It鈥檚 grounded in the values we share. St. Jude鈥檚 values mirror 海角社区破解版鈥檚 values and culture of care 鈥 that鈥檚 how we鈥檙e making an impact that we can actually see and feel for this community,鈥 says April Rehberger, senior manager, corporate citizenship, 海角社区破解版.
And the giving doesn鈥檛 stop. In 2025, we鈥檙e refreshing welcome bags for current and future residents, providing them more of what they need to make 海角社区破解版 House truly feel like home. We鈥檙e also updating products in the spaces in 海角社区破解版 House where families gather to rejuvenate, relax and have fun, including its yoga studio/gym, craft room, playroom and teen game rooms.
Learn about all the ways we鈥檙e giving back to serve and strengthen communities in need.