be happy for this moment.

No child should die in the dawn of life.
Danny Thomas, founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

I have special place in my heart for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It is the national philanthropy for my sorority, Tri Delta, which has raised $9.1 million for the hospital since 1999.

Tri Delta Patient Care Floor of the Chili's Care Center at St. Jude

I had the chance to visit St. Jude in 2004 and I can promise you that it is a magical place!

A few quick facts about St. Jude:

• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas in 1962, maintains 60 inpatient beds and treats about 230 patients each day. Since its opening, St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and more than 70 foreign countries.
• St. Jude has approximately 4,900 patients in active status, most of whom are treated on an outpatient basis. It treats children without regard to race, religion, creed or ability to pay. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatments that are not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay.
• Research findings and information discovered at St. Jude are freely shared with doctors and scientists all over the world. St. Jude also enjoys a worldwide reputation as a teaching facility. The medical and scientific staff publishes about 450 articles in academic journals each year.
• The hospital's daily operating costs are approximately $1,216,247, which are primarily covered by public contributions.
• Since its inception, St. Jude has developed protocols that have brought survival rates for childhood cancers from less than 20% to more than 70% overall.

So today at all Chili's restaurants 100% of their profits will be donated directly to St. Jude. Nick and I are going to meet up with fellow Tri Delta, Sarah, and her friends to enjoy some chips and queso and support one of my favorite places.

I hope you do the same!