About Our Organization

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital opened its doors on February 4, 1962, based on Danny's dream that "no child should die in the dawn of life." Since then, we’ve made incredible strides in childhood cancer research. We’ve helped improve the survival rate of childhood cancer from 20% to 80%. And ALL, the disease with a virtual death sentence in 1962, now has a survival rate of 94 percent.

Today, we’re a world leader in developing new, improved treatments for children with cancer, and we create more clinical trials for cancer than any other children's hospital. We freely share those breakthroughs, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.

And still today as when we opened our doors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all they should worry about is helping their child live.

Danny Thomas passed away in 1991, but he left us with an enduring legacy and commitment to saving the lives of children everywhere. We won’t stop until no child dies from cancer.

Honoring the sacrifices of those that protect our community and country by providing mortgage-free homes to families of fallen first responders, Gold Star families, and catastrophically injured veterans. If you would like to become a donor, volunteer, or sponsor, please join IASHEP, part of your membership money goes to support our charities.

 STEPHEN'S STORY   Firefighter Stephen Gerard Siller was the youngest of seven children born to Mae and George Siller.  At the age of eight Stephen’s father died and a year and a half later he also lost his mother, which left him an orphan to be raised by his older siblings. 

For a while Stephen went through a period of struggle, but because of the love of his siblings and the values instilled in him by his parents, he grew up to be an extraordinary individual and dedicated firefighter. More than most, he knew that time was precious and accomplished much in his 34 years.   On September 11, 2001, Stephen had just gotten off the late shift at Squad 1, Park Slope, Brooklyn. He was on his way to play golf with his brothers when his scanner told of the first plane hitting the Twin Towers.  When he heard the news, Stephen called his wife Sally and asked her to tell his brothers he would catch up with them later, and then returned to Squad 1 to get his gear.  

Stephen drove his truck to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it was already closed. So he strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back, rushed on foot through gridlocked traffic and ran from the Tunnel to the Towers where he gave up his life while saving others.   Stephen had everything to live for, a great wife, five wonderful children, devoted extended family and friends. Stephen’s parents were lay Franciscans and he grew up under the guiding philosophy of St. Francis of Assisi, “While we have time, let us do good.” Stephen’s life and heroic death serve as reminder to us all to live life to the fullest and to spend our time here on earth doing good – this is his legacy.

At Never Forget Concert, Tunnel to Towers Announces Six Mortgage Payoffs for Gold Star Families and Nashville Fallen First Responder Jeff Carson  NASHVILLE, TN –  On Friday night, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced it’s paid off the mortgages on the homes of country singer turned police officer Jeff Carson and five Gold Star families. The announcement was made during the Foundation’s Never Forget Concert at Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, Tennessee, which featured performances by Old Dominion, Brantley Gilbert, Darryl Worley, Lee Brice and Willie Shaw. Nearly 750 first responder and military families attended the invite-only concert. 

Following a patriotic parade down Broadway, Tunnel to Towers President and CEO Frank Siller kicked off the concert by announcing the Foundation paid off the Carson family’s mortgage. Carson was an award-winning country singer and songwriter. He later became a police officer in Franklin, TN. In March 2022, Carson died of a heart attack. The Carson family attended the concert to accept the Foundation’s gift.   

Tunnel to Towers also announced it paid off the mortgages on the Tennessee homes of five fallen military heroes.  

U.S. Army SPC Russell Shane Hercules Jr. was killed serving in Afghanistan in 2009. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart for his bravery and courageous deeds. He was just 22 years old and left behind his wife Victoria, his two children and two stepchildren.   

U.S. Army SGT Louie Ramos died in May 2011 from injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit in Afghanistan. Ramos received several awards while serving, including the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, the Air Assault Badge, and the Parachutist and Pathfinder Badge(s).  He is survived by his wife, Yesenia, two children and a stepson.  U.S. 

Army SGT William Bernard McKenna, 41, died 3 days after Christmas in 2010, losing his battle with T-cell Lymphoma. It was less than a year after he came home from his second and final tour in Iraq. He is survived by his wife, Dina and his two daughters.  

USMC Captain Travis Walker Brannon died in 2019 in a training accident. During his time served, he was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Brannon was 30 when he died. He is survived by his wife, Virginia, and his daughter.  

Army Sergeant First Class Ofren “AC” Arrechaga died in a small arms fire in 2011 in Afghanistan. Arrechaga, who was born in Cuba, served for 10 years and accumulated an abundance of awards, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and many others. He left behind his wife, son, and daughter.  

During the concert, Siller also announced new details regarding the Foundation’s Veteran Homelessness program, which is working to eliminate veteran homelessness throughout the country. The Foundation will be providing housing for over 500 veterans by the end of the year in three communities: Riverside,CA, Los Angeles, CA and Phoenix, AZ. As part of the program, the Foundation will be working with U.S. VETS and the American Legion to also provide comprehensive care, such as mental health and addiction services, and skills training. 

Websitehttp://www.tunnel2towers.org