Finding Cures . Saving Children

This past school year I was elected as the Philanthropy Chair in my sorority (Delta Delta Delta, Theta Delta Chapter).  It was quite the honor and I spent a lot of time working with out philanthropy, children's cancer charities, by organizing events with the local Candlelighter's organization as well as raising funds and promoting awareness for our national philanthropic partner, St. Jude.
This past year my chapter raised almost $30,000 for St. Jude, almost tripling what we had raised the year before! I couldn't have been more proud of all the girls and their hard work.  Because of our successful efforts, myself and another member from our chapter had the opportunity to attend the Collegiate Leadership Seminar at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital this past week; I always knew that St. Jude was such an amazing cause...but I really had no idea what I was in store for and just how truly incredible it is.
From the moment you walk in, St. Jude isn't like any other hospital - it doesn't look or even smell like a hospital.  The atmosphere is so kid-friendly and fun! From murals on every wall, game rooms, and red wagons to be transported in instead of wheelchairs, all the way to the amazing staff, it is unlike any other place I have ever been.  Despite the fact that the children and families that are there are going through their worst nightmare, it is such a happy place!  It costs about $1.7 million a day to run the hospital, and the great part is...none of the families have to pay anything that insurance doesn't cover, this allows the family to focus on their child/children and getting them better, a family will never even see a bill!
Tri Delta has nationally been partnered with St. Jude since 1999 and since then has raised over $15 million! Our first endowment was the Teen Room, where we raised $1 million in 3 years.  Our next ambitious endowment was to have a Patient Care Floor in the Chili's Care Center, our goal was to raise $10 million in 10 years...we surpassed that goal and raised $10 million in just 4 years! And we are now onto our next, even more ambitious goal, to raise $15 million in 5 years for the endowment of the Specialty C Clinic!
Having the opportunity to tour the hospital and hear direct stories from families has really showed me the difference we are making, but also how much more there is to do in order to cure childhood cancer.  My passion and drive are that much stronger from this experience - it was so incredible, eye-opening, humbling, and inspiring.  I am so proud to be a Tri Delt, and so honored to support and represent St. Jude<3