The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, located in Memphis,Tennessee,is one of the world's premier pediatric cancer research centers. Its mission is to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. About 5,400 active patients are seen at St. Jude yearly, most of whom are treated on a continuing outpatient basis as part of ongoing research programs.

Last week, our NASCAR Driver Stanton Barrett was invited to visit with many of the children afflicted with cancer. This is his report about how when he went to brighten the children's day, he was greatly affected himself.

"My visit to the St Jude Children's Hospital was inspiring and at the same time, I was trying to hold back my own tears at every corner from looking at these amazing kids dealing with such trauma and circumstances that often even adults can not deal with. I fell in love with the cutest 2 year old girl, big blue eyes and a beautiful smile who had lost all her hair from treatments, but was still very brave, happy, sweet, talking, telling me all about her, name, age, race cars and her Tinker Bell Halloween costume. I wonder where she and all the other special kids I met will be in just 6months?

Reading the walls, with all the writings and story's about the hardships, losing friends, dealing with their diseases, the amazing character they have, true feelings, true loss, true growing up and moving on. St. Jude is amazing because they do not ask or require anyone to pay for any services. It changes the lives of families and children all over the world.

I was proud to be asked to help bring attention to St Jude's through my racing. One of the creative children from St. Jude's designed my race car and I had the wrap made and donated the space on the car for this weekend. I think it is the best car of all the ones St. Jude's had involvement with; as the message is very cool, sincere and innocent of which it seems only kids have the true root of innocence.

My thanks to Interush and all my sponsors, friends and family who have helped keep the race car on the track through many years and everyone's hard work to make opportunities like this possible.


October 2008 Patient of the Month: Carson Bickens (4 years old) When we think all is lost remember, 'LOVE AND HOPE' from a young child who truly had everything to loose."

Best personal regards,

Stanton