A main theme throughout St. Jude is "hope." This word is posted all over the walls, it is seen in the eyes of the children, it is felt within the four walls of the hospital, and it is expressed by the people who work there. St. Jude provides these families with hope. Hope for a cure, hope for the future, hope for another birthday.
Every member of our group witnessed this hope first-hand over the week. Every member of our group was changed over the week. There were moments that made us break down in tears and moments that made us laugh uncontrollably, there were moments that opened our eyes and moments that changed the way we think.
There is no one better to tell you about these moments than each of us. Here is each person's most impactful moment or major takeaways of the week that they would like to share.
Erin: At the Tri-Delta place there was a little girl that warmed my heart. It was her birthday and she didn't care that she didn't have a birthday cake or presents. We all sang happy birthday to her and it was wonderful to see just how happy she was to be another year older. Every resident in the room with us, had a sense of hope in their eyes that another year has passed and even though she was still sick everyone had a sense of hope that all their children would celebrate 80 more birthdays.
Alainna: At Tri-Delta place we met many children, but one stood out to me particularly. A young girl who did not speak any English, but French. When this girl walked into the room, she was hard to ignore. Her eyes sparked with curiosity as she clung to her parents (her only translators) to explain what was going on. With the French I know, I approached this little girl. Her eyes lit up when I asked her if she would like to make a craft with me. As we talked, I was surprised to see how joyful she was after all she is dealing with. She has moved away from her home, her friends, and still manages to battle cancer with a smile on her face. Children are truly resilient.
Andi: Most of us can't imagine spending our birthday, the most exciting day of the year for children, at a hospital. Birthdays are meant for presents and cake, not needles and doctors. When helping a patient decorate cookies as she sat on my lap, her mother informed me from across the table that it was her birthday. I looked down at my new friend and watched a smile grow across her face. She remained the happiest girl in the room. These cookies that we were decorating together would be her birthday cake. Our group wanted this day to be special for her. When the whole room joined one-another to sing happy birthday, I couldn't help but think how lucky we were to experience a moment like this. Too often we take for granted the little treasures of life. But that is what St. Jude does, opens your mind to life's treasure: faith, love, and hope.
Kelly: As soon as I walked into the hospital, I knew that I would be impacted in some way or another on this trip. The amazing families of the patients that have to see their loved ones go through, what I assume, the worst times in their lives who still kept a smile on their face astounded me. I know that if I were in their shoes, it would be extremely hard to stay positive. But that's just the thing: these families go through so much, yet still stay positive through it all. A type of optimism that is so rare. They talked to us, thanked us for all we were doing, and helped all of us keep smiles on our faces. We volunteered this past week at St. Jude's, Tri Delta Place, and Target House doing odds and ends, serving families a couple of meals, and playing with the kids. Even though to me it was more fun than hard work, the families appreciated us more than anyone I have ever met. Not only were we impacting the children and their families, we were impacted in ways that we will all keep with us forever. 'Till next time, St. Jude.
Rit: The way this week went, I couldn't have spent it with nicer group members. We could tell that the kids we hung out with were deeply impacted by our short time there. Even the adults, faculty and staff alike, were grateful that we gave up part of our vacation to help out. At Target House, even though we mostly organized inventory, the staff there were thankful that groups like us took some of the enormous workload it takes to run St. Jude off their backs. At Tri Delta Place, we did crafts and served dinner on Monday and Wednesday evening, and the families were really happy we were there. At the hospital we cooked the meals that we served on Monday night at Tri-Delta Place. Literally everyone we met was immeasurably grateful. It's been an amazing weeklong journey. See you later, alligator and in a while, crocodile.
Blaire: On this trip I have met so many amazing people and families. I went on this trip thinking that I would be helping out the patients and families, when in reality, they were truly helping me. Their sense of hope and faith during their stay at the Tri-Delta Place and the Target House were extremely impactful and taught me that my problems are unbelievably small compared to what these families were going through. Even during their treatment, the children kept their desire to learn and their amazing personalities shined through during our activities with them. I am so thankful to have been able to experience a trip like and the friendships formed from it.
MADDAWG330: Days leading up to the trip to Memphis, I began to think about what would happen as I would be piling into a 12 passenger van with 11 strangers. Attending this trip was the best decision I have made since being a student at Mizzou. From the (not so) miserable six-hour drive to Memphis, to serving and volunteering for children and their families who changed our lives as much as we changed theirs, and the continuous games of mafia, this group has become inseparable. The unity between the families at the Target and Tri-Delta Place truly showed the hope that radiated from everyone. To the children, parents, and staff of St. Jude who taught me that life is precious and to live everyday to its fullest, and to my new 11 amazing friends, thank you for the adventure of a lifetime.
Daphne: Coming into this trip I didn't know what to expect. I was greatly shocked at how incredible every experience was. The most inspiring experience wasn't a specific instance. It was the overall attitude of every kid we interacted with. Even though they know they have the chance of becoming more and more sick, they definitely don't show it. They were all so excited every time we served them food and did crafts with them. As a kid, crafts were just an everyday thing but for these kids it means the world to them and can be the highlight of their day. I'm grateful that I got to experience the joy of the kids and their overall happiness for every little thing that we take for granted.
Drew: What specialty are you going into? That is the question I have been posed the most after three and a half years of being a student aspiring to attend medical school. My answer to that question has changed more than the number of videos that we recorded of Erin on this trip. However, one has always remained constant: pediatrics. For whatever reason, children have an inexplicable ability to not only brighten my day but also illustrate how beautiful it is to simply be alive. Yet, other specialties such as dermatology and endocrinology have recently begun to become the primary answers to my recurring question. Going on this trip, serving at St. Jude, and interacting with the youth at the hospital have reminded me of why I first wanted to pursue a specialty in pediatrics. There was one boy at the Tri Delta Place that touched my heart. Despite having a grim diagnosis that included a potential timeline for the rest of his life, he loved nerding out with me about Pokémon, discussing his healthcare experience, and sharing his love for rally car racing with me. His bravery will never leave me, and it is because of kids like him that I am surer than ever of my desire to become a pediatrician
Jacob: From the first day in Memphis until the minute we left on Saturday morning this trip was a heartfelt and changing experience. I had forgotten how easily a child could touch your heart but the moment we started our tour at St. Jude's I was reminded. There were children everywhere who were going through incredibly hard times in their lives, but they still played and smiled like any other kid would have. They faced the diseases challenging their lives with strength greater than any adult in their situation would have had. That strength was inspiring. It had an impact on all of us and helped us to power through our (self imposed) sleep deprivation, but it wasn't only the kids that had an impact on me. The other breakers and my amazing site leaders also helped to guide us through the week. They made sure I enjoyed every moment of the break, and made sure to make me think of how I could do something similar in my everyday life. I have come back from this trip amazed at the strength a child can have in a struggle with death and inspired to do more to help those next to me everyday.
Lauren: Not knowing what to expect going into this trip, I think it's safe to say my expectations were met and exceeded. The opportunity to be able to serve in such an amazing hospital setting full of talented and inspiring kids was more than I could have ever asked for. Each day that we got to spend either surrounded by the patients and their families or doing some behind the scenes work at the different hosing facilities, it was clear to see how much of an impact such volunteer groups like MAB have on the lives of these people. We were told countless times how grateful that they were to have us there, which made the experience even more rewarding in the end. Not only am I now even more excited about pursuing a career as a Child Life Specialist but I look forward to helping out people like the ones we met throughout the week. Working with children has always been a passion of mine and by serving my time with St. Jude I hope to continue doing so in the future.
Brittney: One of the symbols of St. Jude is an elephant, partly because this animal is known to protect other elephants outside of their own herd. This is a very accurate representation of the St. Jude community. I was continually surprised throughout the week how amazing that St. Jude is to these families and how they have completely covered every need and aspect of their lives. The families and the workers were inspiring and the overall experience was life changing. I am truly blessed to have spent a week serving at this incredible organization.
Thank you, St. Jude, for all that you do.
Keep It Beale
Memphis 3
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