Presented by St. Jude Children’s Reserach Hospital
As Sickle Cell Awareness Month approaches this September, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is reflecting on more than 60 years of advancing lifesaving care and groundbreaking research for sickle cell disease patients, regardless of a child’s race, background, or ability to pay. That commitment is perhaps best exemplified through the legacy of Dr. Rudolph Jackson, one of the first Black physicians at St. Jude and a pioneering force in the fight against sickle cell disease.
When Dr. Jackson joined St. Jude in 1968, he made a bold decision to bring his expertise to Memphis during a time of significant social change in the South. Guided by a belief in health equity and compassionate care, he played a critical role in building the hospital’s sickle cell program and helping shape the future of treatment for children affected by the disease. His contributions extended beyond sickle cell disease to childhood cancer, blood disorders, and other life-threatening illnesses, helping advance research that has improved outcomes for children around the world.
Dr. Jackson’s work was rooted in a simple but powerful principle: every child deserves the opportunity to live a healthy life. At a time when sickle cell disease received limited attention and resources, he championed research, clinical care, and community engagement. The program he helped establish at St. Jude became so influential that the National Institutes of Health recruited him in the early 1970s to lead federal efforts addressing sickle cell disease.
Today, that legacy continues through St. Jude’s role as a global leader in sickle cell disease research and treatment. St. Jude has been committed to addressing sickle cell disease since before the hospital opened. The institution’s first grant, awarded in 1958, supported the study of sickle cell disease. Decades later, St. Jude operates one of the nation’s largest sickle cell programs and continues to lead groundbreaking research aimed at improving quality of life while advancing innovative treatment options for patients living with the disease.
The impact of this work has never been more important. Sickle cell disease affects millions of people worldwide and disproportionately impacts individuals of African ancestry. Through research, patient care, and collaborations across the globe, St. Jude is helping transform what is possible for children and families facing this condition.
As we recognize Sickle Cell Awareness Month, there are two meaningful ways Chicagoland leaders and organizations can turn awareness into action.
First, supporters are invited to support St. Jude Celebrates: A Legacy of Equity gala, on August 28, at the Wellsley in downtown Chicago, an event honoring the impact of leaders like Dr. Jackson while raising awareness for sickle cell disease and the importance of health equity. The event brings together community leaders, advocates, and supporters around a shared commitment to advancing opportunities for every child to thrive. Visit stjude.org/legacyofequity to learn more.
Second, individuals, families, and corporate teams can participate in St. Jude Walk Chicago, on September 26, at the Brookfield Zoo. Every step taken and every dollar raised helps advance lifesaving research and ensures families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food. Visit stjude.org/walkchicago to learn more.
More than 50 years after Dr. Jackson helped lay the foundation for sickle cell care at St. Jude, his vision continues to inspire progress. This September, we invite the Chicagoland community to join us, raise awareness, and help build a future where every child has the opportunity to live their healthiest life.