St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital embarks on next era of scientific discovery with Inspiration4 Advanced Research Center

“The journey to space was a huge challenge, but nothing compared to what these kids go through every day,” said Isaacman, who has personally pledged more than $125 million to St. Jude. “It is an honor for our mission to be associated with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and I am proud to stand next to every St. Jude supporter, motivated by the vision of a world where every child can survive and thrive.”

The crew of four for the three-day space mission also included St. Jude physician assistant and cancer survivor Hayley Arceneaux, Dr. Sian Proctor and Chris Sembroski. While in orbit, the crew collected data to understand the effects of space on the human body and chatted with St. Jude patients in a live video call. To date, Inspiration4 has secured pledges of over $240 million for St. Jude.

To cheers and applause, Isaacman joined the crew on the steps of the new research center at a banner announcing the center’s name. Following the ceremony, Richard C. Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, joined the crew for a tour of the center and a brief tour of the hospital led by former St. Jude patients.

“The spirit of teamwork, exploration, and courage that characterized the Inspiration4 crew also fuels St. Jude researchers to accelerate progress in understanding and treating catastrophic childhood diseases,” said James R. Downing, MD, president and CEO from St Jude. “Designed to foster creativity and interaction, the center inspires our scientists to push the boundaries of discovery. The crew’s journey reminds our patients to never stop reaching for the stars.”

St. Jude has been at the forefront of childhood cancer care and research for nearly 60 years through strategic investments in resources such as the Inspiration4 Advanced Research Center, which opened in April 2021. The facility can accommodate up to 1,000 employees focused on transformative science and is designed for collaboration in many scientific fields, including developmental neurobiology, immunology, cell and molecular biology, gene editing, metabolomics, advanced microscopy, epigenetics and genomics. It is home to specialized technology for performing computational biology, using artificial intelligence, editing genes and analyzing cell samples through some of the world’s most advanced microscopes. There will be an on-site biorepository containing tumor samples to share with researchers everywhere. These advanced resources and interdisciplinary collaborations keep St. Jude at the forefront of research into childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases and help recruit the world’s brightest minds to accelerate research into new treatments and cures.

“Inspiration4 has helped inspire the world to join the cause of finding cures for childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases,” said Shadyac. “We are incredibly grateful for the extraordinary vision, leadership and generosity of Jared and the dedication and fearlessness of Dr. Sian Proctor, Chris Sembroski and our very own Hayley Arceneaux. We are delighted to honor their legacy today and bring them and the millions from donors who believe in the mission of St. Jude and make a difference in the lives of children everywhere.”

In addition to Isaacman’s efforts, more than 100 individuals and organizations have donated to the Inspiration4 Advanced Research Center. For example, Sky High for Kids mentioned the floor where the Developmental Neurobiology department is located. This essential support ensures that as many children as possible can benefit from the research being done at the center.

The Inspiration4 Advanced Research Center is part of ongoing St. Jude expansion projects, including The Domino’s Village — a new 140-unit family home for patients — and proposed outpatient and inpatient office buildings that will increase the number of new cancer patients each treated in St. Jude. will increase year. Donations from millions of people around the world enable these vital expansion projects and fuel St. Jude’s overarching, six-year, $11.5 billion strategic plan, including a tripling of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s global investment to expand the more than 400,000 children with cancer around the world. world every year.

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About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way in how the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The goal is clear: to find a cure. Saving Children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center dedicated exclusively to children. Treatments invented in St. Jude have helped increase childhood cancer survival rates from 20% to more than 80% since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies of cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved in St. Jude means doctors and scientists around the world can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because the whole family should be concerned about helping their child in life. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and subscribing to the YouTube channel.

SOURCE ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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