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

By Abny Santicola

Within a year, Thomas was earning $500 a week as a comedian, and he was on the fast track to stardom — a USO tour with Marlene Dietrich, radio spots and roles in TV shows such as “Make Room for Daddy.” Finally, Thomas landed “The Danny Thomas Show” and went on to create “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” “The Andy Griffith Show” and “The Mod Squad.”