I just received in the mail my Certificate of Completion for St. Jude's  Campaign for a Cure. I have never really known much about St. Jude Children's Research Hospital -- except that I can be brought to tears by the television specials that showcase sick children whose lives depend on the research and treatment that this hospital offers. But I came to know more about St. Jude this year after a friend asked me to make a donation for the Up 'til Dawn program he sponsors on the college campus where he works -- a program that involves more than 150 college campuses nationwide and partners faculty, staff, students, and communities in an extravaganza of activity, education, and fundraising to benefit the children at St. Jude. So I made a donation and then was contacted by St. Jude with an invitation to help them further -- and I did. I sent out 10 pre-written letters to friends and family asking for their support. I was given an attainable fundraising goal. And I met it. So this is why I received my certificate -- and some cheery address labels too.

I've learned a lot more about St. Jude this year than I've known before. I learned that St. Jude opened its doors in 1962 -- thanks to founder and entertainer Danny Thomas -- and since that time has treated children from all 50 states and more than 70 foreign countries with Thomas' daughter Marlo spearheading the efforts. At any given time there are about 4,700 active patients at St. Jude where the ability to pay is not a factor. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatments that are not covered by insurance and where families without insurance are never asked to pay. As long as children have been referred by a physician, have a disease currently under study at St. Jude, are 18 years or younger, and have not received extensive prior treatment, they are eligible for care at St. Jude.

I feel good about my contributions to St. Jude. And my son's contribution too -- he rode this year around and around a bike trail at his preschool for St. Jude's Trike-a-Thon and raised his own money. He received a t-shirt for his involvement. Perhaps we both would not have helped St. Jude at all had it not been for my own recent cancer diagnosis -- which has made me more sensitive to the issues of all cancer patients and especially children. Their stories made me cry when I had no personal perspective on cancer -- they truly break my heart now. And this is why the least I can do is help raise funds so that these childdren may one day enjoy a future full of health and happiness.