American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities

American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Founded in 1957, ALSAC is the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude. The primary mission of ALSAC is to generate the funds necessary to support the life-saving work of St. Jude, which includes research and treatment for pediatric catastrophic diseases, primarily cancer.

History

The history of ALSAC is closely tied to the founding of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by entertainer Danny Thomas. Thomas, of Lebanese descent, made a vow to Saint Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes, to build a shrine if he found success in his career. Thomas's career flourished, and he upheld his vow by establishing St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. To support the hospital's financial needs, Thomas and a group of business leaders founded ALSAC. The organization was named to honor the heritage of Thomas and many of the early supporters who were of American Lebanese Syrian descent.

Mission and Activities

The mission of ALSAC is to raise the funds and awareness necessary to operate St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. St. Jude's research and treatments are shared worldwide, and no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food. ALSAC's fundraising activities include national fundraising campaigns, corporate partnerships, special events, and direct marketing. One of the most notable events is the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend, among other fundraising campaigns like the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway and Thanks and Giving campaign.

Impact

The efforts of ALSAC have had a significant impact on the ability of St. Jude to conduct cutting-edge research and provide treatment for children without the concern of cost. This has not only helped save the lives of children in the United States but around the world, as St. Jude freely shares its discoveries in pediatric cancer treatment. The survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, has increased from 4% before St. Jude's opening to over 90% today, thanks in large part to research funded by ALSAC.

Organization

ALSA is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, and operates as a separate entity from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, although it is exclusively dedicated to supporting the hospital. The organization is governed by a board of directors and operates with a staff that specializes in fundraising, marketing, and communications.

Challenges and Future Directions

As the cost of medical research and treatment continues to rise, ALSAC faces the ongoing challenge of meeting the financial needs of St. Jude. The organization continuously seeks innovative ways to engage donors and raise awareness of the hospital's mission. Future directions include expanding digital fundraising efforts, enhancing corporate partnerships, and finding new avenues to connect with potential donors.