Loading ...St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital featured in new AANM exhibit
Throughout history, few people have had the lasting artistic and humanitarian impact as Lebanese American entertainer Danny Thomas. Thomas made the world a better place by founding St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., giving hope and inspiration to children nationwide suffering from terminal illnesses.
In honor of his legacy and appreciation for his dedication to helping others, the Arab American National Museum is presenting the new exhibition, “An Enduring Legacy: Danny Thomas and ALSAC/St. Jude”, in the Museum’s Main Floor Gallery from Dec. 4 to May 8. It’s free with museum admission.
Created by American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, the exhibition promotes the history and impact of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, founder Danny Thomas and ALSAC, the nonprofit organization dedicated to the single purpose of financing the operation and maintenance of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“We’re honored to be the only institution in the country to offer this original and in-depth exhibition that highlights the extraordinary story of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and its founder Danny Thomas,” said Devon Akmon, AANM director. “This rich history shared in this exhibition and the ongoing, life-saving impact of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital represent the best of what Arab Americans bring to American society as a whole.”
Museum visitors will be able view artifacts relating to the extensive history of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and tour a variety of informational displays in the 1,100-square-foot gallery, highlighting significant milestones of the organization.
In 1912, Thomas was born Muzyad Yakhoob Kairouz to Lebanese parents in the small village of Deerfield, Mich., 50 miles southwest of Detroit in Lenawee County. He was primarily raised in Toledo, Ohio, where he attended Woodward High School and the University of Toledo. In 1940, he was a young entertainer in Detroit who had fallen upon difficult times. Unsure about his future he prayed to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes, saying, “Help me find my way in life, and I will build you a shrine.”
To fulfill his dream of helping desperately ill children, Thomas rallied 100 Lebanese and Syrian American community leaders to found ALSAC in 1957 to raise the funds needed to build and operate St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Many early supporters and board members were among the hardworking immigrants who never lost their deep love of heritage. As Thomas traveled in the 1950s to raise money for his beloved hospital, he reached out to the children of these immigrants, asking them to help build St. Jude as an expression of gratitude to America for opening its arms to their parents.
On Feb. 4, 1962, Thomas revealed a 15-foot statue of St. Jude, officially opening the doors to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, ushering in a new era of research and treatment that would unlock the mysteries of cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Since opening its doors, St. Jude has helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent through continuous research, cure development and commitment to excellence.
Because the majority of funding comes from individual contributors, St. Jude has the freedom to focus on what matters most; saving kids regardless of their age, race, creed or financial situation. Thanks to generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude. To ensure awareness and further treatment advancements, St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.
For more information on the exhibition, visit http://arabamericanmuseum.org/st-jude. Continued…
Source: www.pressandguide.com