Danny Thomas Forever Stamp Unveiled
The United States Postal Service has unveiled a commemorative Forever Stamp honoring legendary entertainer Danny Thomas, the founder of renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The unveiling took place at a star-studded gala in Los Angeles this past weekend to celebrate Thomas’ 100th birthday and the St. Jude’s 50th anniversary.
“The Danny Thomas stamp, which will be officially dedicated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, and go on sale on Feb. 16, will become an ambassador for philanthropy, traveling on letters and packages to households and businesses throughout America and the world,” said Ed Ruiz, USPS Los Angeles district manager.
“It also will serve as a lasting tribute to one of America’s most beloved and enduring entertainers who worked tirelessly to help the most helpless of all — children with diseases.”
[ Also Visit: RMN Content and Communications Services ]In 1962, Thomas founded St. Jude with a mission to save the lives of children everywhere. He fervently believed that “no child should die in the dawn of life.” Thomas wanted to create a hopeful place that was accepting of all children whether or not the family could afford treatment.
Today, St. Jude is said to be the only pediatric cancer research hospital where no family is ever turned away due to an inability to pay and no family ever pays St. Jude for anything. For 50 years, St. Jude has advanced treatment of such deadly childhood diseases as cancer, saving the lives of children across America.
Research at St. Jude has changed how the world treats leukemia, brain tumors, and sickle cell disease, helping push survival rates for childhood cancers from less than 20 percent in 1962 to almost 80 percent today.
Featuring a new portrait of Thomas by artist Tim O’Brien and depicting the hospital he founded in the background, the Danny Thomas Forever Stamp was designed by Greg Breeding.
