Team Brooks

About a month ago, Rob took the liberty and signed us BOTH up for the St. Jude Half Marathon. Many of you know that I have run a couple before, but this is Rob's first time, and I am so excited to be able to do this together. While it's a new experience for him, and not as much for me, it is new to the both of us in the respect that we are fundraising for St. Jude Children's Hospital. Of course, it is always hard to ask for money, but the more and more I read about how awe-inspiring St. Jude's mission statement is, I cannot stress the importance of this hospital's success. We ask and encourage each of you to donate even a small amount to such a great cause. With the nation's healthcare being such a hot topic these days, it's quite encouraging to see such a huge impact that this one hospital is making for so many families and children with cancer.

Did you know that St. Jude's spends roughly $1.4 million dollars in operating costs PER DAY?!

On average, 5,400 active patients visit the hospital each year, most of whom are treated on an outpatient basis.

St. Jude maintains 78 inpatient beds and treats upwards of 250 patients EACH day.

St. Jude is the ONLY pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is EVER denied treatment because of a family's inability to pay.

In 1962, the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood cancer, was 4%. Today, the survival rate for this once deadly disease is 94%, thanks to research and treatment protocols developed at St. Jude.

Where your Dollars Go:
Average cost for treating ALL per patient ............$573,000
Physical therapy per hour...........$344
One day of Oxygen...........$417
Average charge per inpatient per day...........$5,719
ICU daily room rate (room only) ..............$2,836
Platelet count test.........$42
Complete blood count test ........$52

While St. Jude boasts of never turning a child away due to insurance, this organization could NEVER do it without people like you, people like me, people who see the vision of St. Jude and the necessity of St. Jude's research and care.

Please consider donating to this wonderful cause. Our team goal of $1200 is based on the average amount of money a typical team raises. The link to our fundraising page is located here. You may also mail me a check, please just send me an email, and I can include my mailing address.

Thank you so much for taking the time and considering St. Jude's this year!

And wish us luck, as we complete our first half marathon together!
Love,
Rob and Jenny Brooks

BTW - the above picture is of Rob meeting me at the last mile of my first half marathon and running with me until the end. He did duck out before the finish line, so as not to steal my thunder. ;) Little did he know, he was just preparing himself to a half marathon a couple years later!