Jordan Times
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Charity dinner raises $712,000 for cancer patients
WASHINGTON (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on
Monday acted as patron at a charity dinner to raise funds for cancer patients
from the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the King Hussein Cancer
Centre (KHCC).
Proceeds from the event and an auction held at St. Jude amounted to $712,000.
Auction items included a Harley Davidson motorcycle signed by King Abdullah, a
Bvlgari jewellery set, a trip to Monte Carlo to attend a Tom Shadyac film
shooting and a 10-day trip to Jordan.
In his address at the dinner, King Abdullah stressed the need to support the
hospital in order to help the largest number of children, and said he hoped such
treatment and healthcare would include children and families from all over the
world as part of the hospital's international programme.
He also expressed appreciation for being part of this programme, represented in
bilateral cooperation with the HCC. St. Jude is the main sponsor of the Zaha
Mango Paediatrics Ward at the KHCC.
HRH Princess Ghida Talal, chairperson of the board of trustees of the King
Hussein Cancer Foundation, also attended the dinner.
The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is the single largest centre in the
United States for the treatment and research of paediatric cancer and other
childhood diseases. It was founded by entertainer Danny Thomas, of Arab origin,
and opened in 1962, according to its official website. The hospital is primarily
supported by funds from volunteer contributions raised by ALSAC, a national
fund-raising organisation that was established by Danny Thomas expressly for the
purpose of funding St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
St. Jude also receives assistance from federal grants (mainly through the
National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute), insurance and
investments.
Once a patient is accepted, St. Jude covers all medical costs beyond those
covered by insurance. Families without insurance are never asked to pay. St.
Jude Hospital also provides transportation, lodging, and meals for one parent
and child.