On behalf of the thousands of patients and families served by St. Jude Medical Center: thank you!  During the last fiscal year, $8.3 million was donated in support of the Campaign for Excellence.  One aspect of this project is the Southwest Patient Tower.  This urgently needed facility will create one of Southern California’s most advanced clinical environments, including dramatically improved emergency and critical care services.

At a time when many hospitals are reducing services or closing their doors, our generous community of donors allows the medical center to continue to innovate and lead.  Contributions make it possible to offer the latest technological advances, provide nationally recognized services and respond to this community’s needs with the highest quality care.

We are grateful to our donors for their investment in the healthcare needs of this community.  Together we are transforming the future of medical care.  It is impossible to know all the miracles and good works that will take place here because of your generosity.

A Covenant Kept
They met at a USO dance in 1942 and wouldn’t say good-bye until decades later when complications from Alzheimer’s would take her from him. At the time of her death in 2002, Vivian and Carling Childs shared 56 years of marriage, raised three children, and grew a small business into a multi-million dollar corporation.

Faithful to their church, the Childs made a covenant to use their financial resources to help others - and over the years their remarkable philanthropy would touch educational and medical institutions all over Southern California and the Rocky Mountains. 

Vivian’s battle with Alzheimer’s created a new philanthropic direction for Carling - research into treating the progressively debilitating neurological disease. And a conversation with a well-loved doctor would create a new recipient for the Childs’ generosity - St. Jude Medical Center. James Benoit, M.D., St. Jude Heritage Medical Group, had been caring for Carling for several years. In January, family and friends gathered to honor Vivian's memory and dedicate the Vivian Childs Women’s Wellness Center located in the new St. Jude Centers for Rehabilitation and Wellness. As the first center of its kind in Southern California, the Childs Women’s Wellness Center recognizes Carling’s generosity in supporting St. Jude Medical Center and the commitment he shared with Vivian to improve the lives of others. 

“When Carling sees something he can help with - a way he can make a difference - he pursues it whole-heartedly and without reservation,” explains Dr. Benoit, who says many were deeply touched by Carling’s loving devotion to Vivian as he cared for her at home for more than 15 years. “He doesn’t stand back and hope someone else will eventually make it better, he creates the change that benefits so many others.”   Top