James R. Downing: During this special month, we honor our patients and their families, and I encourage you to look for ways to get involved:

James R. Downing, the President and CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, shared,

“As you know, the journey a child and their family experience following a cancer diagnosis is long and arduous. That journey can last a lifetime, from treatment to hopefully a cure and then to long-term follow-up to manage complications arising from the cancer or its treatment. For a child with sickle cell disease, the journey lasts a lifetime and can affect almost every aspect of their life.

Every September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Sickle Cell Awareness Month spotlight our patients and the work we do at St. Jude.

Our commitment to our patients starts at diagnosis and extends throughout each patient’s life. Our goal is to create a world where, one day, no child dies from cancer or sickle cell disease. This commitment takes the efforts of every individual who works at St. Jude, from the physicians, nurses and allied health professionals and support staff who care for our patients to the scientists who work around the clock in pursuit of cures. We are all fully committed to finding cures and saving children.

During this special month, we honor our patients and their families, and I encourage you to look for ways to get involved:

About 800 transfusions are provided to patients every month at St. Jude. There is always a need for blood donations, and every donation made at the St. Jude Blood Donor Center goes directly to our patients. Take time this month to donate or share the need for blood donors with your friends and family. Schedule a donation at https://lnkd.in/gDHr4p5S.

Learn more about childhood cancer (https://lnkd.in/g66avnh7), sickle cell disease (https://lnkd.in/guB2_2ia) and our global efforts to understand, treat and prevent these life-threatening diseases here in Memphis and around the world.

St. Jude Walk/Runs will occur all over the country Saturday, September 30. The Mid-South community will celebrate at Tom Lee Park. Register and join us for this meaningful event at https://lnkd.in/gdhnAwYz.”

Source: James R. Downing / LinkedIn