Supporting St. Jude’s: Helping Kids Fight Against the Odds by Mark Edgington

There are some causes that speak so clearly to the heart, you don’t need to be convinced, you just show up.

For me, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is one of those causes.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the size of the world’s problems. But every once in a while, you come across an organization that’s not just talking about making a difference, they’re actually doing it.

Why St. Jude’s Matters

St. Jude’s was founded on a promise that no child should die in the dawn of life. And they’ve stayed true to that mission by treating children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Here’s what sets them apart:

• Families never receive a bill. Not for treatment. Not for travel. Not for housing. Not for food.

• They share their research freely with hospitals and scientists around the world, multiplying their impact.

• They’ve helped raise the survival rate for childhood cancer in the U.S. from 20% in 1962 to more than 80% today.

A Personal Perspective on Hope

I don’t pretend to know what it feels like to watch your child fight for their life. But I do know what it feels like to carry grief, fear, and uncertainty and not know where to turn. And I know how much it matters to feel like someone is in your corner.

St. Jude’s offers more than just treatment. They offer relief. Dignity. Time. And a fighting chance.

The Fight Continues

Every year, more than 400,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer. St. Jude’s can’t help every one of them, but they’re trying. And they’re doing it in a way that brings together science, compassion, and community.

I’m proud to be a small part of that community.

Because I believe in showing up for people who can’t repay you.And I believe in helping kids fight against the odds, no matter what those odds look like.

— Mark Edgington

This article also appears on https://medium.com/@markedgington, where you can learn more about Mark Edgington’s ongoing work.