Like many entertainers, Danny Thomas had a tough start in show business. Newly married and with a baby on the way he found jobs were hard to come by. Deeply religious he made a promise to St. Jude Thaddeus, Patron Saint of Lost Causes, ‘’Show me my way in life and I will build you a shrine.’’
Whether his prayer was answered by the saint, or it would have happened anyway, soon he was a star on radio and television.
He felt empathy for cancer-stricken children and raised funds to build a hospital where they would be treated for free. ‘’No child should die in the dawn of life,’’ was his motto. Many stars from all areas of show business gave their time to help and in 1962 he was able to open the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.
The picture is from a fundraising event in 1957, Shower of Stars. These events, organised by Danny, raised the necessary funds. Turning up to help for this one are Lou Costello, Elvis Presley, and Jane Russell.
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