St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Merry Christmas.  This is the time for giving and helping others, so I'd like to tell you a little story that I'm sure most of you know.

The story goes that way back when Danny Thomas was working to make it in the entertainment industry, he prayed to St. Jude, that if he made it big, he would build a hospital for children.  Of course, he made it bigger than big, and he picked Memphis, Tennessee because of it's central location to build the hospital.  It is, of course, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

I have a friend who is a nurse at St. Jude.  She says that St. Jude is not a place for sick children, that they are a "happy" place.  What made me think of St. Jude today is that my sister and I went out to breakfast.  The waitress was wearing a St. Jude pin and she told us this story.

Her 4-year-old neice is currently a patient at St. Jude.  They found many tumors on the child's brain and spine.  All have been removed and she is finally off chemo and the feeding tube and is eating solid food.  Prognosis is good, but has not yet been released.

Her mother-in-law says that she has just too many people to buy for each Christmas.  Her solution was that the kids get toys and actual presents.  The adults have a Christmas decoration bought in their name for the St. Jude Christmas tree.  Each adult receives a card from St. Jude saying that a decoration has been bought in their name.

I thought this was a great idea.  I had never thought of Christmas presents through St. Jude, but my family have always made a donation in lieu of flowers at any relative's funeral.

So, for that person you just can't find the right gift for, I have included the link to St.Jude's gift shop.  It is such a worthy charity.

http://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/index.do

I hope you and yours have a healthy and safe Christmas.  I look forward to seeing what 2012 has in store for us and Addoway.