Businesses Nationwide Join Forces to Give Hope to St. Jude Kids

News provided by

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Mar 31, 2010, 12:06 ET

MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The second annual Give thanks. Give hope.™ campaign will kick off April 1 to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital^®, one of the world's premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.

During the campaign, which spans the months of April and May, patrons can purchase a $1 pinup or add on a donation at the register of participating businesses across the country including A&P Family of Supermarkets, Fry's Food Stores, Hancock Fabrics, Learning Express, McAlister's Deli, Putt-Putt and TwinState Beauty Supply. Visit www.stjude.org for a complete list of all retail outlets involved in the Give thanks. Give hope. campaign. One hundred percent of proceeds will help give hope to kids battling deadly diseases at St. Jude.

"We are so thankful for our generous partners' support of the annual Give thanks. Give hope. campaign," said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. "Even in difficult economic times, the lifesaving work of St. Jude must continue. Each dollar donated helps in our fight to find cures for cancer and other deadly childhood diseases so that children in communities everywhere will have a second chance at life."

St. Jude plays a unique role in the charitable and health care landscape and was recently ranked the most trusted charity in the U.S. by the international research firm, Harris Interactive. Over nearly 50 years, the research conducted at St. Jude has helped push the survival rates for childhood cancers from 20 percent to 80 percent today. St. Jude has achieved a survival rate of 94 percent for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood cancer. Today, St. Jude continues to conduct the breakthrough research that is changing the way some of the deadliest childhood diseases are treated.

About St. Jude

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. In 2010, St. Jude was ranked the most trusted charity in the nation in a public survey conducted by Harris Interactive, a highly respected international polling and research firm. For more information, go to www.stjude.org.

SOURCE St. Jude Children's Research Hospital