In the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® stands as a testament to the power of compassion and dedication.
Through the generosity of donors who believe in its mission, St. Jude continues to provide cutting-edge treatment for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases — all without families ever receiving a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
Among its dedicated supporters are two couples whose authentic commitment to the St. Jude mission exemplifies the profound impact of legacy giving.
Angela and Terrell Richards: A Promise Rooted in Faith
Angela and Terrell Richards’ connection to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital runs deep, grounded in their shared heritage in the Mid-South and a profound admiration for the hospital’s lifesaving work.
“I knew one day, I was going to contribute, because I was encouraged by the work St. Jude has done,” Terrell shares with quiet conviction.
During the early days of their marriage, the couple didn’t just dream about their future —they mapped out a five-year plan that included a sacred pledge to support the mission of St. Jude.
“We said if the Lord blessed us to become successful, one of the things that we would do is give to charities,” Angela recalls, her words reflecting a commitment made in faith.
True to their word, when blessings came, St. Jude became their charity of choice — a promise fulfilled through perseverance and success.
Terrell, who serves as co-president of his family’s contracting business, and Angela, a registered nurse who now works with the family business, thoughtfully created their estate plans with a financial advisor and made the heartfelt decision to remember St. Jude in their will.
“We wanted to be impactful and leave a legacy, and part of that legacy would include giving to St. Jude for all that work and care they give to children and families,” Terrell explains.
For Angela, who grew up in Memphis, the connection runs even deeper than she initially realized. She discovered that her family’s unwavering support of St. Jude was rooted in a young family member’s losing battle with leukemia in the 1970s.
We wanted to be impactful and leave a legacy… part of that legacy would include giving to St. Jude
“I don’t recall if she was a patient at St. Jude, but my family’s passion for St. Jude has always been strong,” Angela remembers. “We watched the specials and telethons on Sunday, and I saw family members call to donate. When I was old enough to drive, I volunteered at the hospital. St. Jude has been a part of Memphis and my life for as long as I can remember.”
The Richards have woven their philanthropy into the very fabric of their lives. They volunteer at St. Jude Spirit of the Dream, an annual event honoring the achievements of African American supporters who embody the hospital’s mission. Their family business has sponsored the event in recent years, seeing it as an extension of their commitment to furthering the lifesaving mission of St. Jude.
Terrell’s poignant question resonates: “Without St. Jude in the world, where would we be?”
Arnulfo and Hilda Miramontes: Devoted to Healing and Hope
This legacy gift is from our family to our St. Jude family.
As longtime supporters of St. Jude, Hilda and Arnulfo Miramontes have developed a deep love and understanding for the research hospital’s lifesaving mission. Witnessing the progress St. Jude is making toward finding cures, they felt compelled to establish a commitment that would help future generations of children.
“We decided that St. Jude would be part of us,” Hilda says with heartfelt sincerity. “This legacy gift is from our family to our St. Jude family.”
While many supporters choose to leave St. Jude in their will, the Miramonteses made the thoughtful decision to include St. Jude in a charitable trust. This approach helps save on estate taxes and ensures their assets are managed according to their wishes, both during their lifetimes and afterward. Just like a bequest in a will, their generosity helps transform the future for children and families who rely on St. Jude for hope and healing.
“Our gift is so they can continue the studies to find cures to help the children,” Arnulfo explains simply but powerfully.
This California couple — Hilda now in her 60s and Arnulfo in his 70s — are deeply grounded in values instilled by their Mexican culture. It’s the spirit of helping others that has driven their work with children throughout their lives. For more than two decades, they operated a daycare center and served as foster parents while also raising their own two children.
When Hilda and Arnulfo recently retired, their plans for travel had a meaningful first stop: St. Jude, where they were humbled to see their name on the Legacy Wall displayed prominently for patients, families and hospital staff.
The Miramonteses see their support of St. Jude as their way of expressing gratitude for the blessing of having healthy children and four grandchildren.
“We believe 100 percent in this wonderful St. Jude mission… children should not suffer from these diseases,” Hilda affirms with conviction.
“They are dedicated to helping the families, so these children suffer as little as possible. This impressed and moved us so much,” she adds, her words conveying the depth of their commitment.
The Ripple Effect of Legacy Giving
The commitments made by families like the Richards and the Miramonteses highlight the transformative power of legacy giving.
When supporters include St. Jude in their estate plans, they help ensure the hospital remains at the forefront of pediatric research and treatment. Their generosity means that, decades from now, doctors and researchers will continue their work in finding cures, families will continue to receive treatment and care without ever receiving a bill from St. Jude, and St. Jude can continue to help children worldwide.
As someone of Lebanese Armenian heritage, I, Viken Mikaelian, find it deeply inspiring that Danny Thomas, Founder of St. Jude, built the hospital on the principle that no child should die in the dawn of life and no child should be turned away from lifesaving treatment regardless of race, religion or financial status. Giving back is at the core of our shared cultural heritage, and legacy gifts — whether through bequests or trusts — are one of the most powerful ways to make an impact that lasts for generations.
What Will Your Legacy Be?
Angela and Terrell Richards made a promise grounded in faith and fulfilled it through a thoughtful bequest. Hilda and Arnulfo Miramontes, guided by cultural values of helping others, established a charitable trust to ensure children continue to receive the care they deserve.
Now, I invite you to consider: What will your legacy be?
Legacy giving isn’t just for the wealthy. It’s for anyone who wants to leave the world better than they found it. A simple bequest in your will costs nothing today but carries the power to transform countless lives tomorrow. Your legacy can ensure that children battling catastrophic illnesses receive the best treatment possible, that families never have to worry about a medical bill, and that the groundbreaking work of St. Jude continues for generations to come.
Ask yourself, “I’ve invested in my IRA, isn’t it time to invest in my legacy?”
Consider opening your heart and including St. Jude in your estate plans. To learn how you can join this remarkable family of legacy donors, contact St. Jude planned giving at (800) 395-1087, visit stjude.org/legacy, or email giftplanning@alsac.stjude.org
Every child deserves a chance to live their best life and celebrate every moment. Your generosity today could be the reason a child gets to grow up tomorrow.
Your generosity today could be the reason a child gets to grow up tomorrow.
