This year, I have the honor and privilege to serve as the Director of Philanthropy for the Epsilon Rho chapter of Tri Delta. In this role, I coordinate and oversee all philanthropic initiatives to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is an organization I hold dear to my heart. I got to learn even more about this organization this past summer when I attended St. Jude's Tri Delta celebration, an annual conference in Memphis, Tennessee where Tri Delta women all over the country gather to plan philanthropic events for the next year, celebrate the partnership, and of course– bond with other sisters.
At this event, I felt such a deep connection to everyone. Even though we all came from different states and backgrounds, we were united by one goal– to support St. Jude’s mission to fight childhood cancer. It gave me a greater sense of purpose– like I was part of something greater than myself.
While I could go on and on with the stats I’ve learned– like how St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has increased the survival rate of childhood cancer from 20% to 80% since 1962, or how Tri Delta has raised 100 Million dollars in the last 25 years, I don’t think that would do the experience justice.
Instead, my motivation for supporting St. Jude falls on the patients and their families. As a nursing major, I've seen firsthand how patients fight for their lives and the impact it has on their families. I cannot imagine how this must feel for a parent- not knowing if you'll be able to celebrate your kid's next birthday. St. Jude truly brings magic-- where children can eat "grandma's mac & cheese" from the comfort of their bed even thousands of miles away, and are excited to receive treatment because of the glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceilings of treatment rooms.
St. Jude doesn't just treat patients-- but cares for the entire family. With the cost of lodging, food, groceries, education, and treatment covered, parents only need to worry about helping their children live.
I hope you will join me on my mission to support the kids of St. Jude!
With Delta Love,
Elaine Truong, Director of Philanthropy Epsilon Rho