What St. Jude And The Visit To The Hospital Means To Me

A couple of years ago, I had the privilege to travel to Memphis, Tennessee for the Radio Cares seminar and to visit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The experience for me, was life-changing.

Walking in the halls of the hospital, it doesn't even feel like a hospital at times. When you think of a hospital, you think it would be a saddening experience. For me, it was the complete opposite. When I looked around, I saw smiles and people that care for children.

This shrine dedicated to St. Jude Thaddeus, that Danny Thomas opened in 1962, is a godsend. This hospital operates daily on donations from if not thousands, millions of people, who are called Partners in Hope. The hospital costs over two million dollars a day to run.

Walking around, I quickly forgot about the little things I complained about on a daily basis. I saw children being pulled around in red wagons by their parents. I saw a cafe that rivals most mall food courts.

Meeting a patient named Mabry was probably the highlight of my trip to Memphis. This angel is fighting cancer at a very young age. She has the personality of a star. Because of St. Jude and Partners in Hope, she has a chance to entertain everyone with her humorous and angelic personality.

To me, St. Jude means positive thoughts and actions, love, and most of all...hope. If you ever have a chance to visit, please do so. It will change the way you look at life.