Since July 2012 the Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) chapter at the University of Arkansas has raised over $146,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The local chapter has broken a fundraising record in only one semester. No other Tri Delta chapter has ever raised this much money, to date, for St. Jude in one year. And the chapter is still going.
The chapter’s goal is to be able to provide 75 patients one day of outpatient care. This is the equivalent to $187,500. In 2010 the Tri Delta pledged to raise $15 million in five years to name the Specialty Clinic at St. Jude. The local chapter’s fundraising efforts go directly to reaching that goal. $9.7 million of the $15 million has been raised.
No family ever pays St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for anything, ever. The support from the members of Tri Delta is critical to the hospital’s ability to continue to treat children fighting cancer and other deadly diseases with pioneering research and exceptional care. The daily operating cost for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is $1.8 million.
The philanthropy chair for the University of Arkansas chapter, Monica Miller, is focused on supporting the mission of St. Jude.
“St. Jude is Tri Delta’s hospital. The more we raise the more lives we save. I am so proud of the partnership Tri Delta has with St. Jude.”
The chapter sends small gifts and cards to patients throughout the year. “We are making Valentine’s Day cards for the patients next week,” Miller said, “It is a small way for us to show them that we really care.”
Tri Delta officially adopted St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as its national philanthropy in November 1999. Tri Delta members across the country have raised awareness for the hospital in a variety of ways.
In the fall semester the local chapter hosted a golf tournament, a softball tournament, a proceeds night at a Legacy Blues and their annual Sincerely Yours letter writing event to raise money for St. Jude.
Chapter president, Caroline Fuller, said, “We attribute our successful fundraising efforts to our alumnae, parents, sponsors, the community, and the dedication of each chapter member.”
The chapter members are dedicated to donating their time to St. Jude. On November 17, 2012, over 20 members volunteered for the Northwest Arkansas St. Jude Give thanks. Walk. The walk raised over $47,000.
To learn more about St. Jude, visit www.stjude.org.
ABOUT ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
Since opening 50 years ago, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has changed the way the world treats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. No family ever pays St. Jude for the care their child receives and, for every child treated here, thousands more have been saved worldwide through St. Jude discoveries. The hospital has played a pivotal role in pushing U.S. pediatric cancer survival rates from 20 to 80 percent overall, and is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center solely devoted to children. It is also a leader in the research and treatment of blood disorders and infectious diseases in children. St. Jude was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, who believed that no child should die in the dawn of life. Join that mission by visiting stjude.org or following us on facebook.com/stjude and twitter.com/stjude.