Online Community Member? Sign In

Our Journey

St. Jude Global was established in 2018 to help enhance the quality of care for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases worldwide.

Every year, an estimated 400,000 children develop cancer, though approximately only half of them are ever diagnosed.

In many high-income countries, 80% of those children survive their disease. But in low- and middle-income countries, it’s a different story. There, often fewer than 30% of children with cancer survive.

In May 2018, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital launched an ambitious initiative to address this disparity. That initiative is St. Jude Global.

Our Milestones

1962

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital opens its doors.

1990s–2000s

The International Outreach Program creates an initial model for global engagement at St. Jude.

2016

St. Jude establishes the Department of Global Pediatric Medicine to advance global pediatric oncology and blood disorders knowledge.

March 2018

The World Health Organization designates St. Jude as the first and only WHO Collaborating Centre for Childhood Cancer. Under this designation, St. Jude supports integrating efforts to address childhood cancer into the work of WHO so that more children can receive life-saving support at the national level.

May 2018

The St. Jude Global initiative launches with a commitment to ensuring that every child with cancer and other catastrophic diseases will have access to quality care and treatment, no matter where they live.

July 2018

St. Jude Global, WHO and other partners develop the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer.

July 2018

St. Jude Global announces a partnership with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington to collect and share data and provide more accurate estimates of the global burden of cancer among children.

September 2018

In collaboration with WHO and other partners, St. Jude Global announces the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer at the United Nations General Assembly.

December 2018

The first annual St. Jude Global Alliance meeting brings together 167 participants from more than 50 countries to define a shared global vision.

April 2019

The first St. Jude Global Alliance membership agreement is signed with the Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Armenia.

July 2019

The St. Jude Global Scholars Program welcomes its first cohort of students for the Master of Science degree in Global Child Health

November 2019

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and St. Jude partner in combating childhood cancers in developing countries. This effort draws on IAEA's particular expertise and interest in nuclear and radiation medicine.

April 2020

In partnership with the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP), St. Jude Global launches the Global COVID-19 Observatory and Resource Center for Childhood Cancer to share information on treating pediatric cancer patients infected by the coronavirus.

December 2020

More than 700 individuals from over 70 countries participate in the second convening of the St. Jude Global Alliance, which is held virtually.

February 2021

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and St. Jude Global sign an agreement to help increase and strengthen pediatric cancer registries globally.

March 2021

The St. Jude Global Alliance surpasses the 100-member milestone.

September 2021

The third convening of the St. Jude Global Alliance is held virtually, attracting more than 1,100 participants from 89 countries.

November 2021

The first 10-student cohort of the Global Scholars graduates.

December 2021

St. Jude and WHO announce plans to establish the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines to end disparities in access to safe and effective medicines to treat children with cancer.

February 2022

In response to the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, St. Jude Global and many partners create SAFER Ukraine to coordinate efforts to evacuate children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases to other countries to continue treatment and care.

November 2022

The fourth convening of the St. Jude Global Alliance is held, bringing more than 1,500 participants to in-person and virtual sessions in the first hybrid meeting of the Alliance.

December 2022

The first nine foundation members join the Alliance.