MEMPHIS, Tennessee — Friday afternoon, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden toured St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis and gave remarks during a stop in Memphis.
Friday's visit is Dr. Biden's first to the Bluff City since she became First Lady in January 2021 and her first visit to the hospital.
"Here at St. Jude, hearing about so many cutting-edge approaches to this disease, we are reminded that we aren’t helpless," Dr. Biden said. "In fact, we’re living in a time of incredible possibility."
Dr. Biden's visit focused on innovative research initiatives and the St. Jude Global SAFER Ukraine (Supporting Action for Emergency Response) humanitarian effort, which was launched following the Russian invasion.
She also visited with Ukrainian pediatric cancer patients and their family members, who arrived from Poland on Monday.
"We are so deeply honored to welcome four new children to our St. Jude family. They are such warriors. They escaped deadly war at home and now they must escape the deadliest illnesses in their little bodies," Marlo Thomas, the daughter of St. Jude Founder Danny Thomas, added.
Dr. Biden's visit in Memphis follows President Biden reigniting the federal Cancer Moonshot initiative, in which St. Jude plays a role with pediatric cancer research and development of immunotherapies for childhood cancers.
"It’s about listening to patients and survivors and their families, and finding new ways to ease the burden they face," Dr. Biden added. "It’s about delivering new, effective treatments, including for childhood cancers, that turn a diagnosis from a moment of devastation into hope."
The First Lady was joined throughout the visit by Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, Rep. Steve Cohen, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, St. Jude President President and CEO Dr. James Downing, and ALSAC President and CEO Richard Shadyac.
Former St. Jude patient Ashley McTyre introduced the First Lady. McTyre is now a nurse practitioner in St. Jude’s solid tumor division.
