Hearts for Hope: Chatham Hall Students Support St. Jude

At Chatham Hall, students have the opportunity to create and lead their own fundraising initiatives, often inspired by personal experiences and passions. One such effort was led by Anaiah C. ’26, who spearheaded the Heart to Heart campaign to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The Heart to Heart Campaign
From January 20 to January 25, the Heart to Heart organization hosted a fundraising campaign in Yardley Dining Hall, inviting the Chatham Hall community to join in making a difference in the lives of children battling catastrophic illnesses. The campaign ran daily from 12 to 12:30 PM, providing a space for students and faculty to learn more about St. Jude’s life-saving work and contribute to the hospital’s mission.

Anaiah shared her inspiration for the fundraiser: “I knew about St. Jude when I was younger because a family member was involved in giving; however, only recently did I come to fully understand and appreciate their mission and message.” She continued, “When I researched St. Jude, I learned that they supported families from lower-income backgrounds who may not otherwise have access to healthcare services. Growing up, I saw how families struggle without adequate medical support in their communities. I led this fundraiser not just to raise money but to introduce others to how they can get involved too (a lot of people forget that the term pediatric includes people our age!).”

The goal of the fundraiser was to raise money for St. Jude’s groundbreaking research and treatment programs while also raising awareness about the hospital’s vital work. St. Jude ensures that no family ever receives a bill for their child’s treatment, travel, housing, or food—an effort that allows families to focus solely on their child’s recovery.

What is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital?
Founded in 1962 by entertainer Danny Thomas, St. Jude is dedicated to treating and curing some of the most challenging pediatric diseases. The hospital provides state-of-the-art care for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and conducts innovative research to develop new treatments. St. Jude is unique because its funding is primarily driven by donations, which ensures that families never bear the financial burden of their child’s care.

Stories of Hope
Two stories exemplify the incredible impact of St. Jude's work:

Hayden’s Story – Hayden, a 2-year-old boy from Jamaica, was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer. After surgery and treatment at St. Jude, Hayden returned home early in 2024, deeply grateful for the care his family received.

Valentina’s Story – Valentina, diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at age 3, has undergone chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. She continues to visit St. Jude for follow-up care, and her parents are forever thankful for the hospital's compassionate support.

Anaiah reflected on what she learned from organizing the campaign: “I learned that you don’t need a background in medicine or pediatrics to lead a cause that can change someone’s life. St. Jude doesn’t just make a global impact—it changes individual families' lives, giving them hope and faith. I also realized how much of a difference you can make just by talking to people and explaining why you advocate for a cause. Seeing people face-to-face, sharing why I’m doing this, why St. Jude is doing this, and why spreading awareness is enough—it really can change someone’s perspective.”

The Heart to Heart fundraiser provided an opportunity for the Chatham Hall community to come together in support of St. Jude’s mission, with Anaiah’s leadership inspiring others to learn, contribute, and advocate for this life-changing cause.