This morning, the St. Jude Dream Home in Dunlap (2822 W. Lake Trail Court) opened its doors to sponsors of the event and some St. Jude families. Always good to keep the momentum going for this great event and to see in person the people and businesses that give of their time, effort, products and services, making this St Jude fundraiser happen.
A couple of St. Jude Regional Directors, Julie Witte and Jennifer Smutz, handled the festivities and announcements. Jennifer introduced a family that’s used the St. Jude Children Research Hospital services. Libby Swearingen pulled three of her four children out of school to attend.
Libby’s daughter, Tess, is now in 6th grade and turning 12 next week, and they’ve got the St. Jude Children Research Hospital to thank for that…and people like you who donate to keep it running. Tess was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer – Neuroblastoma – at the tender age of four. Doctors found a grape-sized tumor in her adrenal gland. At the time of the diagnosis, she was given a 20% chance at surviving it. She was given a 50% chance just to survive the year.
Doctors started her on a new, clinical trial protocol. She was just the fourth child to try this drug and treatment combination. Then, a few months in, they put her on a newer, just developed protocol. All told, it lasted 18 months. During that time, the Swearingen family “never paid a dime” for treatment, travel, housing or food during their Memphis visits. On July 4, 2010, she took her last cancer-fighting pill. Talk about a family Independence Day!
When Danny Thomas helped open the Memphis hospital in 1960, childhood cancer survival rates were around 20%. Now, that number is over 80%. That’s why we keep giving, every year.
Remember, the majority (about 75%) of St. Jude funding comes from individual contributors like you. Get your Dream Home raffle ticket at Kroger locations in Peoria at Tazewell Counties and online at dreamhome.org. Or call, toll free, at 800-390-3196. The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway, with Peoria’s cancer-fighting classic rocker, 95.5, GLO. Below is a link to a St. Jude video of Tess and family talking about their positive St. Jude experience. Keep a tissue nearby.
Doc Watson
https://www.stjude.org/about-st-jude/stories/meet-our-patients/meet-tess.html
