Danny Thomas’ ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Has a Hollywood/Fundraising Connection That Still Shines 50 Years Later

By Abny Santicola

Sarah Jessica Parker, Ray Romano, Robin Williams, Antonio Banderas — celebs so diverse you might be hard pressed to find a common link.

But add the name Marlo Thomas, and most people would immediately recall that all of these stars and a host of others have been high-profile spokespeople for the nonprofit institution that her famous father founded some 50 years ago — ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Headquarters:
501 St. Jude Place
Memphis, TN 38105

Phone: 800.822.6344

Web site: www.stjude.org

Total revenue (FY 2006): $806 million

Total expenses (FY 2006): $605 million

Mission: The American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC) is the fundraising organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Founded in 1957 by entertainer Danny Thomas and approximately 100 leaders of Arabic-speaking communities around the country, its sole purpose is to raise and provide the funds necessary to operate and maintain St. Jude — internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay.