The YRC Southern Division donated $83,000 to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to pay for renovations and new equipment in the hospital's blood donor room. The GAR Foundation also presented a $64,000 grant.
Southern Division employees have embraced St. Jude's Hospital as their primary philanthropy. To date, they have raised more than $160,000 for the platelet center through such efforts as Harley Davidson motorcycle, fishing boat and art raffles. This year, employees have pledged $71,000 in payroll deductions. Many employees are also active blood platelet donors.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital treats children from around the world regardless of their ability to pay. It was the first institution established for the sole purpose of conducting research into catastrophic childhood diseases.
The hospital was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas. As the story goes, when Thomas' career was developing, he was torn between continuing his career or getting a "working" job. He prayed to St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes, and promised that if he made it in show business, he would build a shrine to the saint. Shortly thereafter his career took off, and he became a multimillionaire. The shrine was completed February 4, 1962.
Read quick facts about St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
