BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) -- The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway, initiated in 1991, continues to honor the legacy of Danny Thomas, who died the same year without witnessing the program's growth. The initiative remains a testament to his vision, transforming the lives of children affected by pediatric catastrophic diseases.
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Kate Ayers, Director of the STEMM Education and Outreach Program at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, emphasized the program's impact. "So here at St. Jude we transform the world for many children affected by pediatric catastrophic diseases," she said. STEMM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine, not only collaborates with scientists on cutting-edge cures but also inspires students and teachers to pursue future cancer research using real childhood cases.
"The patient is at the center and then the students take on that role of scientist or physician scientist to really think about the work of a scientist is like in the care of the patients here at St. Jude," Ayers explained.
Before St. Jude Children's Research Hospital opened in 1962, childhood cancer was a death sentence. Today, thanks to the hospital's efforts, childhood cancer survival rates exceed 80%.
Ayers brings this hope to classrooms in Memphis, where the impact is sometimes deeply personal.
Recalling a poignant moment, Ayers said, "I remember one instance, one of the children in the school was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and I didn't know that when I was coming in. I was just coming in and I was teaching and the case study happened to be osteosarcoma that we were working through and a child came up and said like, 'Oh. I didn't know what this was, but I was very scared. But now I feel like my friend is going to be okay.'"
Having been with St. Jude for 13 years, Ayers has witnessed the dedication of compassionate doctors firsthand. "I see them all of the time leave meetings because, oh, I have to care for this very sick child and I think like 'Wow. They really care about these children,'" she said.
Ayers is committed to carrying on this caring mission through STEMM, ensuring St. Jude's legacy of hope endures for future generations.