How You Can Help Sick Kids...

Pixie Monroe

Pixie Monroe, Hollywood Casting Director, began raising funds for St. Jude Research Hospital as a youth. Her parents, Edward and Marie Petros were initially approached by actor/comedian Danny Thomas fifty years ago. He made a personal plea to them and shared his dream of raising the necessary funds to develop, build and sustain a research hospital for children who were suffering from cancer and catastrophic diseases. Edward and Marie made a commitment to Danny and his vision, then set out to help him to turn this dream into a reality!

It was through this humanitarian effort and worthwhile early interaction that Ms. Monroe was first introduced to the Entertainment Industry and Fundraising worlds. Five decades later, three generations of St. Jude supporters and "family' entertainment professionals have blossomed and continue to draw strength and hope by coupling their creative energy and philanthropy efforts.

Pixie's father, who is struggling with his own health, is finding newfound strength and excitement as he and Pixie explore through treasured pictures of his friend Danny Thomas, reminiscing exuberantly about those days. Edward is one of only two surviving original Board of Directors for St. Jude.

Watch for Pixie's upcoming book, entitled, Casting Hope.


Pixie's Websites:

www.monroecasting.com

www.castinghope.net

The St. Jude's Gourmet Gala

An Evening to Benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Tuesday, February 5, 2008 | National Building Museum | Washington, D.C.

Purchase Tickets

In the spring of 2007, Pixie Monroe approached St. Jude Children's Research Hospital with the idea for an event in Washington, D.C. Her wish was to find a way to honor her mother, Marie Petros, who passed away in August 2006, and her father, Edward S. Petros, for their generous contributions and fundraising efforts on behalf of the hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Petros were among the original board members of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital with Danny Thomas and have faithfully served the hospital through their fundraising efforts for over fifty years ago. On February 5, 2008, we will come together to celebrate their dedication and to shed light on what more can be done.

Sponsorship of the The St. Jude's Gourmet Gala provides organizations a cause-related marketing opportunity that allows them to partner with one of the most respected research facilities for children in the world. Sponsorship also provides the chance to entertain clients and reward employees at an event featuring an amazing silent auction, delicious food and one-of-a-kind entertainment. Top sponsors will be rewarded with inclusion in the event's media campaign.

We invite you to join us for the St. Jude Gourmet Gala on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. For additional information, please contact Jeanie Torchio at (703) 486-4520.

Happening in the heart of Washington, D.C., at the National Building Museum, the Beacon of Hope is destined to become one of the city's "must attend" events;
Offering access to corporate and civic leadership, the Beacon of Hope offers unique networking opportunities, attended by hundreds of influential corporate and civic leaders;
Partnering with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through sponsorship of the Beacon of Hope aligns an organization with one of the world's most respected leaders in health initiatives focusing on pediatric cancers, Sickle Cell Anemia and the Avian flu;
Extending your support through a corporate sponsorship helps fund the research that provides hope to millions of children afflicted with life-threatening diseases and their families.

- Two (2) VIP tables (20 event invitations);
- Company logo or name on "Save the Date" postcard;
- Company logo or name on event invitation;
- Company signage at event;
- Back cover advertisement in event program book;
- Company logo or name with hyperlink back to sponsor web site featured on the St. Jude web site at www.stjude.org/beaconofhope;
- Promotional messages on Casting Hope podcasts and company logo or name with hyperlink back to sponsor web site on www.castinghope.net;
- Company name featured in all media outreach including press releases;
- Feature article and photo opportunity in ALSAC News, a St. Jude publication with a circulation of over 20,000;
- Listing on partner page of event program book;
- Listing as partner on all event signage;
- Mention in video presentation at event;
- Commemorative plaque

TOTAL INVESTMENT $25,000

*One (1) Beacon Partnership available

- One (1) VIP table (10 event invitations);
- Company logo or name on "Save the Date" postcard;
- Company logo or name on event invitation;
- Company signage at event;
- Full page ad with preferred placement in event program book;
- Company logo or name with hyperlink back to sponsor web site featured on the St. Jude web site at www.stjude.org/beaconofhope;
- Company logo or name with hyperlink back to sponsor web site on www.castinghope.net;
- Company name featured in all media outreach including press releases;
- Listing on partner page of event program book;
- Listing as partner on all event signage;
- Mention in video presentation at event;
- Commemorative plaque

TOTAL INVESTMENT $15,000

- Six (6) event invitations
- Full page ad with preferred placement in event program book;
- Company logo or name with hyperlink back to sponsor web site featured on the St. Jude web site at www.stjude.org/beaconofhope;
- Company name featured in all media outreach press releases;
- Listing on partner page of event program book;
- Listing as partner on all event signage;
- Mention in video presentation at event;
- Commemorative plaque

TOTAL INVESTMENT $10,000

- Four (4) event invitations;
- Full page ad with preferred placement in event program book;
- Listing on partner page of event program book;
- Listing as partner on all event signage;
- Mention in video presentation at event;
- Commemorative plaque

TOTAL INVESTMENT $5,000

- Two (2) event invitations;
- Half page ad in event program book;
- Listing on partner page of program book;
- Listing as partner on all event signage;
- Mention in video presentation at event;
- Commemorative plaque

TOTAL INVESTMENT $2,500

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital located in Memphis, TN

One of the world's premier centers for research and treatment of catastrophic dieseases in children, primarily pediatric cancers.

* St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®, founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, maintains 60 inpatient beds and treats about 230 patients each day, about 4,900 in active status, most of whom are treated on an outpatient basis.

* It is the first institution established for the sole purpose of conducting basic and clinical research into catastrophic childhood diseases, mainly cancer. St. Jude is the largest childhood cancer research center in the world in terms of the number of patients enrolled on research protocols and successfully treated.

* St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and more than 70 foreign countries.

* Research findings at St. Jude are shared with doctors and scientists all over the world. St. Jude also enjoys a worldwide reputation as a teaching facility. The medical and scientific staff publishes about 450 articles in academic journals each year.

* St. Jude, which is non-sectarian, treats children without regard to race, religion, creed or ability to pay. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatments that are not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay.

* The hospital's daily operating costs are approximately $1,216,247, which are primarily covered by public contributions.

* During the past five years, 85.1 percent of every dollar received by ALSAC/St. Jude has gone to the current or future needs of St. Jude.

* St. Jude pioneered a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and, when necessary, surgery to treat childhood cancers. The hospital continues to expand the use of bone marrow transplantation as a treatment for pediatric cancers and genetic diseases.

* St. Jude is a World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza Viruses in Animals and Birds.

* Peter C. Doherty, Ph.D., of the St. Jude Immunology department, won the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1996. He shares the award with Rolf M. Zinkernagel, MD, of the University of Zurich. Their findings have led to major breakthroughs in the understanding and treatment of virus infections and cancers, and in the development of organ transplant procedures and vaccines.

* Since its inception, St. Jude has developed protocols that have brought survival rates for childhood cancers from less than 20 percent to better than 70 percent overall. The current St. Jude survival rates for selected childhood cancers are: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) 94%, Hodgkin disease (cancer of the lymph system) 90%, Medulloblastoma (brain tumor) 85%, and Wilms tumor (kidney tumor) 90%.

*In 1962, the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood cancer, was 4 percent. Today, the survival rate for this once deadly disease is 94 percent thanks to research and treatment protocols developed at St. Jude.

* To treat a child with standard-risk ALL required a 2 ? year protocol at a cost of $500,000.

* The St. Jude faculty includes three National Academy of Sciences members: Peter Doherty, Ph.D., of Immunology; Charles Sherr, MD, Ph.D, of Tumor Cell Biology; and Robert Webster, Ph.D., of Infectious Diseases. Sherr and James Ihle, Ph.D., hold the coveted title of Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators.

* St. Jude researchers and doctors are treating children with genetic immune defects and pediatric AIDS, as well as using new drugs and therapies to fight infections.

* St. Jude was the first facility outside the National Institutes of Health to receive federal approval for research involving human gene therapy.

* St. Jude operates a bone marrow transplant program that enables doctors to perform approximately 185 transplants per year.

...St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatments that are not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay.
...St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center that fully pays for lodging, food, and travel for patients and their families.
...St. Jude's fund raising has consistently delivered an average of 86 cents of every dollar received directly to research, patient care, education, and training.
...St. Jude has the only NCI (National Cancer Institutes) funded cancer center devoted solely to pediatric cancer.

More than 50 years ago, Danny Thomas, then a struggling young entertainer with $7 in his pocket, knelt in a Detroit church before a statue of St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes. Thomas asked the saint to "show me my way in life."

His prayer was answered, and soon he moved his family to Chicago to pursue career offers. A few years later, at another turning point in his life, Thomas again prayed to St. Jude and pledged to someday build a shrine to the saint.

Throughout the next years, Thomas' career prospered through films and television, and he became a nationally known entertainer. He remembered his pledge to build a shrine to St. Jude.

In the early 1950s, Thomas began discussing with friends what concrete form his vow might take. Gradually, the idea of a children's hospital, possibly in Memphis, took shape. In 1955, Thomas and a group of Memphis businessmen who had agreed to help support his dream seized on the idea of creating a unique research hospital devoted to curing catastrophic diseases in children. More than just a treatment facility, this would be a research center for the children of the world.

Thomas had started raising money for his vision of St. Jude in the early 1950s. By 1955, the local business leaders who had joined his cause began area fund-raising efforts, supplementing Thomas' benefit shows that brought scores of major entertainment stars to Memphis. Often accompanied by his wife, Rose Marie, Thomas crisscrossed the United States by car talking about his dream and raising funds at meetings and benefits. The pace was so hectic that Thomas and his wife once visited 28 cities in 32 days. Although Thomas and his friends raised the money to build the hospital, they now faced the daunting task of funding its annual operation.



To solve this problem, Thomas turned to his fellow Americans of Arabic-speaking heritage. Believing deeply that Arabic-speaking Americans should, as a group, thank the United States for the gifts of freedom given their parents, Thomas also felt the support of St. Jude would be a noble way of honoring his immigrant forefathers who had come to America.

Thomas' request struck a responsive chord. In 1957, 100 representatives of the Arab-American community met in Chicago to form ALSAC-the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities-with the sole purpose of raising funds for the support of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Since that time, this group, with national headquarters in Memphis and regional offices throughout the United States, has assumed full responsibility for all the hospital's fund-raising efforts, raising millions annually through benefits and solicitation drives among Americans of all ethnic, religious and racial backgrounds. Today, ALSAC is America's third-largest health-care charity and is supported by the efforts of more than 1 million volunteers nationwide.

Danny's Dream-St. Jude Children's Research Hospital-opened its doors in 1962 and is now recognized as one of the world's premier centers for study and treatment of catastrophic diseases in children. Focusing on pediatric leukemias, solid tumor forms of cancer, infectious diseases and biomedical research, during its first decade of existence, the hospital's curative therapies and research successes spread its fame worldwide and helped save the lives of innumerable children everywhere.
Today's basic and clinical research at St. Jude includes work in bone marrow transplantation, gene therapy, chemotherapy, the biochemistry of normal and cancerous cells, radiation treatment, blood diseases, resistance to therapy, viruses, hereditary diseases, infectious diseases, and psychological effects of catastrophic illnesses. Now blessed with the first sizable population of adults living cancer free after having received chemotherapy and radiation treatments as children, the hospital stays in touch with these former patients in order to conduct long-term biostatistical investigations on the history of their health. Potential secondary problems related to their disease treatment could result in chemotherapy and radiation adjustments that improve the life of future children diagnosed with cancer.


St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and from more than 70 foreign countries. All were accepted by physician referral because the children had newly diagnosed diseases that were under research at St. Jude. Ability to pay has not been an issue for admittance for one single patient. St. Jude is the only pediatric research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay.

Through striking improvements in the care of pediatric leukemias and numerous forms of solid tumors, Thomas' "little hospital in Memphis"-which now has daily operating costs of $1,220,004-has brought about improved health care for children all over the world.

From a promise of "Show me my way in life and I will build you a shrine" to the fulfillment of his dream, Danny Thomas lived to see his little hospital become a beacon of hope for the catastrophically ill children of the world. The founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and ALSAC died on February 6, 1991, just two days after joining patients, parents and employees to celebrate the hospital's 29th anniversary. He was laid to rest in a family crypt at the Danny Thomas / ALSAC Pavilion on the grounds of the hospital. On July 12, 2000, his wife, Rose Marie, passed away and now lies with her beloved husband in the hospital's Danny and Rose Marie Thomas Memorial Garden. Today, their children, Marlo, Terre and Tony, carry on their parents' work and remain a driving force in fulfilling their father's mission. Danny is gone, but his dream lives on.

Marie F. Petros along with her husband, Edward S. Petros were among the first to be approached by St. Jude Founder, Danny Thomas, to help raise the funds necessary to build, launch and maintain St.Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Over four decades after they first began their fundraising journey for the hospital Marie suffered a serious heart attack and stroke.

Marie quietly passed away on August 19, 2006 and was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetary. Her legacy, gentle spirit and love for the St. Jude Children, staff and volunteers will live on forever.

Make a Donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Honor of Mrs. Marie Petros

Kimber Eastwood: Daughter of Clint Eastwood, Friend of the Petros Family and Instrumental Supporter of St. Jude Children's Hospital and the Beacon of Hope.



Kimber's Website

Kimber's New York Times Page

Kimber's IMDb Page

Yankel Ginzburg's Website

Donate Online:

Single Gift

Memorial Gift

Monthly Gift

Honor Gift

By Phone: 1-800-805-5856

By Mail: St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place
Memphis TN 38105
Printable Form - Monthly, Single
Printable Form - Memorial, Honor

By E-mail: donors@stjude.org

Your gift may be tax deductible. Click Here to learn more.

Please mention Marie Petros on your contribution check, in your email, or during your conversation with a St. Jude representative

In order to track the donations accurately, go to the St. Jude Tribute page under the name Marie Petros or, mention either Ed and Marie Petros and/or the Beacon of Hope event on your check or direct payment.

Lucile Donze and family
Merlin Castell, , Fashion Designer
Suzanne DeLaurentis, Producer, Director, Writer
Anthony Dill, Commander, US ARMY GOLDEN KNIGHTS PARACHUTE TEAM
Kevin Dobson, Actor
Lisa Dunn-Dern, Author
Richard Epcar, Animation and Voiceover
Tena Fanning, Children's Book Author
John Fenzel, Commander, United States Army Accessions Support Brigade
Filippo, Actor, Singer, Chef
Ester Goldberg, Entertainer
Dwight Hicks, Former NFL Football Player/2XSUPERBOWL CHAMPION/Actor
Marvin Kaplan, Actor
Bill and Donna Kreutz, Radio/Artist
Stanley Livingston, Director/Producer
Ed McMahon, Television Personality, Comedian, Show Host
Dave Standridge, Former Commander, US ARMY GOLDEN KNIGHTS PARACHUTE TEAM
Ole Skool Dance Company, Performers
Lt. Col. Paul Sinor, US ARMY Office of Public Affairs
Gary Spears, Radio Personality
Izabella St. James, Actor
Ellyn Stern, Animation and Voiceover
Randy Tat, Television Studio Executive/Artist
Charlene Tilton, Actor
Adair Tishler, Actor
Alex Quinn, Actor
Marianne Ricci, Producer
US ARMY GOLDEN KNIGHTS PARACHUTE TEAM
Jackie Zabel, Screenwriter, Producer, Author

View the Thanks and Giving television spots that can be seen in theaters and on prime-time cable and Hispanic networks this holiday season. The spots feature St. Jude patients with Marlo Thomas and celebrity friends Jennifer Aniston, Robin Williams, Antonio Banderas, Bernie Mac, Ray Romano and Reggie Bush.

100 King - Chef Denis Soriano
1789 - Chef Nathan Beauchamp
2941 - Chef Jonathan Krinn
Acadiana - Chef Jeff Tunks
Bistro Bis - Chef Jeffrey Buben
BlackSalt Fish Market & Restaurant - Chef Jeff Black
Blue Duck Tavern / Park Hyatt - Chef Brian McBride
CACAO - Chef Jacques Poulain
Café Atlantico - Chef José Andrés
Café Saint-Ex - Chef Barton Seaver
Cakelove - Chef Lauren Brown
Capital Grille of Washington DC - Chef Bryan Thomas
Ceiba - Chef Jeff Tunks
Charlie Palmer Steak - Chef Bryan Voltaggio
Chef Geoff's - Chef Geoff Tracy
Circle Bistro - Chef Brendan Cox
City Zen at the Mandarin Oriental - Chef Eric Ziebold
Colvin Run Tavern - Chef Bob Kinkead
DC Coast - Chef Jeff Tunks
David Greggory - Chef Greggory Hill
Equinox - Chef Todd Gray
Firefly - Chef John Wabeck
Galileo - Chef Roberto Donna
Georgia Brown's - Chef JJ Nassar
Hank's Oyster Bar - Chef Jamie Leeds
IndeBleu - Chef Vikram Garg
Jaleo - Chef José Andrés
KAZ Sushi Bistro - Chef Kaz Okochi
Kinkead's - Chef Bob Kinkead
Le Miche - Chef Jason Tepper
Lebanese Taverna - The Abi-Najm Family
Lia's - Chef Geoff Tracy
Maestro/ The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner - Chef Fabio Trabocchi
Maggiano's Little Italy - Chef Manuel Duron
Marcel's - Chef Robert Wiedmaier
Marshall Farms Natural Cheese
Melting Pot
Michel Richard Citronelle - Chef Michel Richard
Oyamel - Chef José Andrés
Peacock Café - Chef Maziar Farivar
Restaurant Kolumbia - Chef Jamie Stachowski
Ristorante Tosca - Chef Massimo Fabbri
Ronald Reagan Building - Intl. Trade Center - Chef Xavier Deshayes
Ten Penh - Chef Jeff Tunks
Vidalia - Chef Jeffrey Buben
Zaytinya - Chef José Andrés

10th annual Gourmet Gala
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 (5:30 - 9:30 p.m.)
National Building Museum
Washington, D.C.

Join us for the largest St. Jude event in Washington, D.C., the 10th annual Gourmet Gala: Mardi Gras for the Kids! on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, at the National Building Museum.

By joining us, you will not only be supporting children suffering from catastrophic and life-threatening diseases, you will also be among an elite group who support an event that provides an exclusive opportunity to taste some of the D.C. area's finest restaurant cuisine while mingling with more than 800 business, financial and political leaders. In addition, many one-of-a-kind auction items are up for bid during our amazing silent auction.

The Gourmet Gala is organized by a committee that has helped raise more than $1.5 million over the last nine years for St. Jude and has helped support various programs including gene therapy, bone marrow transplants, immunology and AIDS vaccine research.

Ticket Information:
$3,500 per table of 10
$350 per person

Purchase Tickets

View a list of participating chefs and restaurants

View a list of the Gourmet Gala committee members.

For more information, contact:
Jeanie Torchio
ALSAC St. Jude - Mid-Atlantic Regional Office
46 S. Glebe Road, Suite 201
Arlington, VA 22204
800-336-3083
jeanie.torchio@stjude.org