Altruism
At the International level, Alpha Delta Kappa reaches out to others in two very significant ways. First, through its International altruistic projects, it has contributed over one million dollars to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee and over $300,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Dallas, Texas. Secondly, Alpha Delta Kappa biennially awards over a quarter of a million dollars through its eight scholarship programs. The many lives these scholarships have enriched are testimony to the collective efforts of Alpha Delta Kappa.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Since June 1986, when members, chapters, and states/provinces/nations started sending their contributions for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to International Headquarters to be recorded and forwarded, the membership has contributed $158,253.89.
Improved therapy has dramatically increased survival rates for children with cancer over the past three decades, but worldwide, fewer than 30% of children with cancer have access to modern treatment. The mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's International Outreach Program is to improve the survival rates of children with catastrophic illnesses worldwide, through the transfer of knowledge, technology, and organizational skills.
International Outreach transfers the progress achieved in the treatment of childhood cancer in developed countries to those with limited resources. To date, St. Jude has treated more than 20,000 children from across the United States and 60 foreign countries.
Recognizing the positive impact of International Outreach on the survival rates of children with cancer in countries with limited resources, the St. Jude Board of Governors approved two ambitious programs in 1999. With an emphasis on using advanced telecommunication technologies for increased education and training and the knowledge that nurse training is the basis for improved patient care, the two programs that are now implemented are:
* Cure4Kids - An Internet-based distance learning initiative at www.cure4kids.org International Training Center for Hematology-Oncology Nurses in Central America - a collaboration with the professional nursing society in El Salvador, Sociedad de Profesionales de Enfermeria Sodeproe S.A. de C.V., to train Latin American nurses in the pediatric subspecialty of Hematology/Oncology.
At the local level, International Outreach develops partnerships with medical institutions and fund-raising organizations and facilitates the involvement of other agencies and organizations to support key programs and the education of local personnel; at the regional level, International Outreach develops programs through the use of technology. The primary goal is to promote local and regional self-sufficiency. This model results in significant overall improvement in health care facilities, the level of practice, the self-confidence of health care providers and local community involvement.
The Alpha Delta Kappa Foundation started a five-year St. Jude Altruistic Project to send at least a $60,000.00 annual contribution to St. Jude during the 1981-1982 fiscal year. This program and an additional $61,000.00 in recognition of our Founder, Agnes Shipman Robertson, was completed in the 1985-1986 fiscal year. Since that time, an annual contribution has been made from the Foundation funds to St. Jude for a total of $858,600.00. Adding the membership's contribution of $158,253.89, Alpha Delta Kappa has contributed a grand total of $1,016,853.89 to help children plagued with dreadful disease through research and treatment. Approximately $484,571.29 has also been donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital directly from Alpha Delta Kappa Chapters on the local level.
At the 1991 International Convention the delegates voted for two International Altruistic Programs. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Pediatric Aids Foundation. From 1991 to 1996, an annual contribution was made from the Foundation funds to the Pediatric AIDS Foundation for a total of $150,000.00. Adding the membership's contribution, Alpha Delta Kappa contributed a grand total of $244,648.22 between 1991 and May 31, 2006.
The Power of a Promise
Susan G. Komen for the Cure was founded on a promise made between two sisters - Susan Goodman Komen and Nancy Goodman Brinker. Suzy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1978. a time when little was known about the disease and it was rarely discussed in public. Before she died at the age of 36, Suzy asked her sister to do everything possible to bring an end to breast cancer. Nancy kept her promise by establishing Susan G. Komen for the Cure in 1982 in Suzy's memory. More than 20 years later, Susan G. Komen for the Cure is a global leader in the fight against breast cancer through its support of innovative research and community-based outreach programs. Working through a network of Affiliates and events like the Komen Race For the Cure, Susan G. Komen for the Cure is fighting to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by funding research grants and meritorious awards and supporting education. screening and treatment projects in communities around the world.
At the 1997 International Convention, delegates voted to continue support to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and to begin supporting Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation located in Dallas, Texas. Susan G. Komen for the Cure, formed in 1982, is a global leader in the fight against breast cancer through its support of innovative research and community-based outreach programs. Working through a network of U.S. and international affiliates and events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, Susan G. Komen for the Cure is fighting to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by funding research grants, supporting education, screening and treatment projects in communities around the world. Susan G. Komen for the Cure has more than 75,000 volunteers working through a network of more than 100 U.S. and international affiliates, making it one of the most progressive grassroots organizations in breast cancer today.
Since November 1997, an annual contribution has been made from the Foundation funds to Susan G. Komen for the Cure for a total of $230,000.00. The membership has contributed $87,109.88 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure to date, for a total of $317,109.88.
