ABOUT US
Run or walk in the Portland Marathon as a St. Jude Hero and make a huge difference in the lives of children fighting cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Each year, thousands of people just like you combine their pursuit of a personal fitness challenge with fundraising for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. As a St. Jude Hero, you are inspiring hope in children who are battling cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.
Join the St. Jude Heroes team - a nationwide group of everyday athletes with a common goal of finding cures and saving children. Today, the St. Jude Heroes Program has become a charity partner in eight running events across the United States. Additionally, St. Jude Heroes have participated in many other events across the country to raise money for the kids of St. Jude. Our Heroes display courage, strength and spirit as they use their power to help those who need it the most: the young patients of St. Jude.
As a St. Jude Hero, we provide you with the fundraising and training resources needed to achieve your personal fitness goal. These resources include:
- Free online training powered by Active.com
- Resource packet with great fundraising tips
- Ongoing e-newsletters with fundraising and training tips, and St. Jude patient stories
- Motivational support from St. Jude representatives
- Invitation to exclusive St. Jude events in the Portland area
- Personalized fundraising Web page
Additionally, St. Jude Heroes can earn incentive prizes based on the fundraising level achieved, including hotel and airfare vouchers. Most importantly, you will receive the satisfaction in knowing that what you are doing is contributing directly to the life-saving work at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and making a difference in the lives of children around the world.
To sign up to be a St. Jude Hero and run or walk in the Portland Marathon, please visit www.stjudeheroes.org.
Meet one of St. Jude's courageous local patients:
THE STARK FAMILY: SARA'S STORY
In November 2000, Sara was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, called ependymoma, just before her second birthday. After the tumor was surgically removed, Sara's parents were told she faced a 30 percent chance of survival and began the challenge of searching for a treatment. They learned that the only known treatment available in the Northwest was traditional radiation, but it was not recommended for children under age 3 due to dangerous side effects.
After more searching, Sara's family learned that St. Jude Children's Research Hospital had pioneered a form of conformal radiation that minimizes damage to healthy tissue and preserves a child's cognitive development. Soon Sara was referred to St. Jude for treatment.
Today, the treatment Sara received at St. Jude has become a national protocol for ependymomas and has been shared with other hospitals across the country. Her parents credit the doctors and scientists at St. Jude for helping Sara become a happy, healthy 9-year-old little girl.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tennessee, 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.
For additional information or questions, please contact Theresa Ripp at theresa.ripp@stjude.org or 1-800-954-5499.
