Years ago, I became aware of
the City of Hope created in Memphis, Tennessee by the late actor,
Danny Thomas, to bring health to children. It was his dream that “no
child should die in the dawn of life.” This noble undertaking
developed into what became the St. Jude Children’s Research Center.
St. Jude’s work first came to my attention through a Radio telethon. I
made what I now consider a modest contribution, and have contributed
haphazardly ever since, but if I had had first hand knowledge of the
institution’s work, I would have been far more generous.
In a gesture of support for
St. Jude, Harlequin Enterprises agreed to publish two novels that cast
light on St. Jude’s activities. When the General Manager of
Harlequin’s Kimani Press/Arabesque line asked if I would write one of
the two books in a romance series (Novels Of Hope) that would
reflect upon St. Jude’s work, I did not hesitate to accept. (Sandra
Kitt is writing the other book.) St. Jude’s staff members feel that
too few parents, particularly African-Americans, are aware of the care
available to sick children without charge if there is no insurance. It
was thought that, owing to the great popularity of romance novels,
they would be a good venue through which to introduce to parents the
loving and efficient care available at St. Jude Children’s Research
Center.
Because of my own experience
as mother of a desperately-ill child who--by God’s mercy and the care
of specialists--recovered fully, I am totally empathetic with sick
children and their parents, and I consider it an honor to be a Partner
in Hope. The books are not about St. Jude. They are romance novels in
which, by their actions, the characters inform the reader about this
great institution and the care it gives.
On my first visit to the St.
Jude Children’s Research Hospital, I saw in its research department,
dedicated doctors and scientists--including a Nobel Laureate,--who
strive to find cures and to develop effective treatments for childhood
cancers, sickle cell disease and pediatric HIV/AIDS. But I must say
that I was most deeply impressed by the loving attention that the
staff gave to the children. These women and men could not have been
more attentive, loving and caring with those children if they had been
the children’s mothers and fathers. The areas where care is given is
for the children: colorful and educational, and along the hallways,
paintings and drawings of interest to children are at their eye level.
Ceilings are bright star-filled skies. The sick children are not
transported in wheel chairs but in wagons made like ducks, rabbits and
so on. It seemed to me that the institution spares no effort to
lighten the psychological effect of the illness upon the sick children
and their parents. The environment discourages sadness, at least on my
part.
Imagine a place where a sick
child can get the best help that is available without cost to its
parents! That’s why I am a Partner in Hope, and I shall remain one
long after this project ends.
The Novels of Hope tour for
the book, WHAT MATTERS MOST, takes place in October and
November 2008. On Saturday, October 18, I’ll be In Savannah, Georgia.
More about that later. Wednesday, October 22, I’ll be in Memphis,
Tennessee ( from 4 6o 6 p m) at the Danny Thomas Pavilion and on
Tuesday, October 28, I’ll be signing at The Hue Man Book Store, 2319
Fredrick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York. On November 8, 2008, I’ll
be signing in Charlotte, North Carolina, at places to be announced
soon.
Look for the Novels of
Hope, FOR ALL WE KNOW by Sandra Kitt,
September 2008 and for WHAT MATTERS MOST, by Gwynne
Forster, to be released in October 2008.
