Key Highlights
- Marlo Thomas discusses her father’s mission to establish St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
- The hospital’s commitment to providing free medical care for children facing life-threatening illnesses.
- Marlo and her siblings’ ongoing involvement in fundraising efforts for the institution.
In a special Thanksgiving Day edition of “Daily Variety” podcast, Marlo Thomas, renowned actor, author, and activist, delves into the remarkable story behind St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, honoring her father, Danny Thomas, who initiated this incredible mission to save children’s lives.
The Visionary Behind St. Jude
Danny Thomas’ extraordinary commitment to St. Jude was rooted in his upbringing. Born in 1912 as a first-generation American with parents from Lebanon, he witnessed firsthand the tragedy of young lives lost due to illnesses that should have been treatable. This personal experience deeply influenced his future endeavors.
From Barnstorming to Hollywood
After spending more than a decade touring the country, hosting fundraisers, and leveraging his Hollywood connections, Danny Thomas finally realized his dream in 1962 when St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital opened its doors in Memphis, Tennessee.
Marlo Thomas’ Involvement
Marlo Thomas, along with her brother, producer Tony Thomas, and sister Terre Thomas, have been integral to the St. Jude story since their youth. Their family’s dedication continues through fundraising campaigns that they launched 22 years ago.
Achieving a Billion-Dollar Milestone
“We’ve raised $1 billion so far on this program, which we’re very excited about, and we brought it up to a $100 million-a-year program now,” Marlo Thomas explained. “Nobody pays at Saint Jude. Nobody pays for anything. They don’t pay for treatment or travel or housing or food. We pay for all of that.”
The Legacy of St. Jude
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital continues to be a world-renowned facility, dedicated to providing free medical care and treatment to children battling life-threatening illnesses without regard to their families’ ability to pay.
Marlo Thomas’ reflections on her father’s legacy highlight the profound impact of St. Jude on countless lives.
As the podcast episode concludes, listeners are reminded of the ongoing importance of supporting this remarkable institution that has grown from a small dream into a global beacon of hope for children and their families.
To hear more about Marlo Thomas’ insights, you can listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, iHeartPodcasts, Variety’s YouTube Podcast channel, Amazon Music, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. The episode also revisits a vintage piece from Variety that chronicles Danny Thomas’ journey in establishing St. Jude.
Note: All dates, names, numbers, and quotes are exact as per the original article.
