St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® welcomes more than 400 Tri Delta members to Memphis leadership weekend

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital^® will host more than 400 Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) women from across the country for a special leadership weekend and formal dedication of the newly renovated St. Jude Tri Delta Place. St. Jude Tri Delta Place, the short-term housing facility for St. Jude patient families, was recently named for Tri Delta after the Fraternity pledged to raise $60 million in the next 10 years to combat childhood cancer and other deadly diseases.

This gift, the largest single commitment by a St. Jude partner, provides St. Jude families a place to call home while at the hospital and recognizes the Fraternity's long-standing commitment to the lifesaving work of St. Jude. Fraternity members from across the country gather in Memphis to get a special sneak peak of St. Jude Tri Delta Place's dramatic interior renovation. A modern, open-concept lobby redesign has just been completed, and renovations of all patient rooms are currently underway.

"We are incredibly thankful for the commitment and dedication of Tri Delta Fraternity leaders and members, who year after year amaze us with their efforts to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude," said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "This most recent commitment will help St. Jude give comfort to thousands of families who walk through our doors every year by ensuring they have a place to call home during their child's treatment."

Among those congratulating Tri Delta during the dedication ceremony for its accomplishments was Tri Delta alumnae member and TODAY show co-host, Hoda Kotb. Kotb was unable to attend the event but greeted her fellow members via video, noting, "As a proud member of the Beta Nu Chapter of Tri Delta at Virginia Tech, I want to congratulate you on your $60-million, 10-year commitment to St. Jude. If anyone can do it, we can! Keep up the great work for the families and patients of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It is an incredible place." 

The partnership between Tri Delta and St. Jude has seen extreme growth since the Fraternity officially named St. Jude its philanthropic partner in 1999. To date, Tri Delta has raised more than $33 million for the hospital. Tri Delta's $1 million endowment in 2002 provided a teen room for patients ages 13 to 19. Then, in 2006, Tri Delta committed to raising $10 million in 10 years to name to the Tri Delta Patient Care Floor in the Chili's Care Center, a goal met in just four years. The Fraternity dedicated the most recent $15 million campaign to naming the specialty clinic at the hospital.

"Tri Delta strives to teach its members to be steadfast in our love for others and unselfish in leadership. Our partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has continued to show us the amazing things we can accomplish when we incorporate these qualities into our work," said Tri Delta Fraternity President Phyllis Durbin Grissom, Southern Methodist. "Our hope is that the families who stay at Tri Delta Place will feel comforted by the love and support of Tri Delta."  

Through programs such as the Sincerely Yours letter-writing campaign, which enlists members to craft letters to family and friends, to its participation in St. Jude Give Thanks. Walk., Tri Delta has raised incredible funds and awareness for the hospital's lifesaving mission. This support is a leading force in ensuring that no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, allowing families to focus on what is most important – helping their child live.

For more information about Tri Delta's partnership with St. Jude please visit stjude.org/tridelta.

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital:
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other deadly diseases. St. Jude has the world's best survival rates for the most aggressive childhood cancers, and treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since we opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent in the next decade. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs we make, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org or following St. Jude on facebook.com/stjude and twitter.com/stjude.

About Tri Delta
Founded in 1888, Tri Delta is a leader among social Greek organizations through its passion for progress and visionary thinking. Through partnerships with nationally recognized organizations like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, award-winning publications like The Trident, and innovative collegiate and alumnae initiatives, Tri Delta is committed to leveraging our timeless values to revitalize the sorority experience. For more information, please visit www.tridelta.org, or call (817) 633-8001. You can connect with Tri Delta on social media at facebook.com/trideltaeo and twitter.com/tridelta, #tridelta4stjude and #trideltaplace.

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SOURCE St. Jude Children's Research Hospital