Danny Thomas

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Alijah was only two when he started to gesture pain in his ankles and wrists. His parents were not sure what was going on, so they promptly took him to the doctors, who assumed he had Rheumatoid Arthritis, but were later proved wrong. Alijah had acute lymphocytic leukemia, which immediately was treated with chemotherapy. It caused his friends and family great stress to cover the bills and to help little Alijah keep fighting ("Alijah's Story: Surviving Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia"). Alijah and his family were the type of people Danny Thomas felt a great need to help.On January 6, 1914, in Deerfield, Mich. Muzyad Yakhoob, later known as Danny Thomas was brought into the world ("Danny Thomas" Newsmakers ). Thomas dropped out of school at only 15 to try and pursue his acting dream in Rochester, New York, only to end up selling candy at a burlesque theatre. After realizing he wanted more than just a sales job, he moved to Detroit to live with his uncle. There, Thomas met his future wife, and made an entrance on a radio show ("Danny Thomas" Encyclopedia of World Biography). Thomas later married Rose Mantel, and together they had three children; Tony, Marlo, and Terre Thomas. His career picked up when he landed the role of Danny Williams in the show Make Room for Daddy, also known as the Danny Thomas Show. Thomas was a part of a big production company which produced Make Room for Daddy, but also many other hit shows such as the Dick Van Dyke Show, and the Andy Griffith Show,which lead to great fame and fortune ("Danny Thomas" Newsmakers). A hero must possess selflessness and be willing to do anything and everything in their power to help a cause. Danny Thomas, an entertainer and founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was a true hero and inspiration because of his courage in his career, his loyalty to honor St. Jude and his beliefs, and his determination to make a difference in families dealing with childhood disease. Danny Thomas was courageous and never let anything or anyone tell him he couldn't accomplish his dreams. In his young adult years, he often had a hard time providing for his family and questioned his career, "Even after we were married and had our first child, he was earning only $35 a week-when he worked. He struggled, bitterly, trying to find his level. I begged him to quit this crazy, uncertain business, and get some kind of a job, any job, with a steady check"(Thomas). During this time in Thomas' life, it was very difficult to get a job and even harder to find a well paying job of interest due to the Great Depression. People in this time often were not able to provide for their families since money was so scarce. Thomas knew he needed to be able to provide a meal on his family's table, which made it hard for him to decide if he should persevere on his dream of becoming an actor, or let it wash away. Thomas didn't let the poverty corrupt his dreams, but he had the courage to pursue them even though he knew it would not be easy. Thomas was willing to do whatever necessary to be successful,"As he and his family struggled, his despair grew. He wondered if he should give up on his dreams of acting or find a steady job. He turned to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes. 'Show me my way in life,' he vowed to the saint one night in a Detroit church, 'and I will build you a shrine.'" ("How St. Jude Began"). Thomas wanted to be sure that acting was the right choice to make since the chances were so slim, so one night he prayed a prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus. Thomas was courageous stepping out to ask for help in his life, and was rewarded with the answer to his prayer. Following that prayer, it became known that acting was the right choice for him. This was a step of true courage, because in times of pain and discomfort, Thomas was able to fight for what he really wanted, and not give up on his dream of becoming a successful actor. Thomas started to become more well known in the acting industry, and was a part of, "Make Room For Daddy (later known as The Danny Thomas Show) was one of the longest running TV comedies of the '50s and '60s." ("Danny Thomas" Broadcasting & Cable). Make Room For Daddy was a monumental step in Thomas' life because it was his first major role, which came with abundant fame and money. He was the star of the show, which was slightly influenced by his family; which include his wife, 3 children, and Lebanese immigrant parents. Thomas later used his fame to bring honor to St. Jude as he promised in church. While in the midst of poverty and melancholy, Thomas was courageous and fought for his dreams and happiness.

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Thomas knew he had to stay loyal to his promise to St. Jude, which meant building him a shrine. Thomas wasn't hesitant on letting the press and his fans know what he was doing, even if they thought he was crazy, "And as one of the world's biggest celebrities, Danny used his fame to fulfill his vow to St. Jude Thaddeus and to change the lives of thousands of children and families."("How St. Jude Began"). Thomas could have chosen to ignore the promise he made, and not give anything to St. Jude for the fame, but he was loyal to his word, like a true hero. He knew the journey that lay ahead would not be anywhere close to easy, but he was determined to keep going to bring light to his cause. People criticized that his plan was crazy and it would never work because he was just doing it for the publicity. This never made Thomas question himself or his abilities, all he cared about was bringing light to St. Jude who helped him in such desperate times. The shrine built for St. Jude was, "A leading research center in the fight against childhood diseases, the hospital was, as Thomas frequently expressed, his greatest accomplishment and contribution during his lifetime. As he once asserted, as quoted in the New York Times: 'That's my epitaph. It's right on the cornerstone: The shrine was a huge sacrifice for him to make. He didn't know at the time, but the hospital would take thousands of hours away from spending time with his loving kids and wife. His children however, "...prefer to focus on the time he spent giving to the community rather than the time he didn't spend at home." ("Danny Thomas." Contemporary Authors Online). Although they didn't get to see their father as much as they probably desired, they understood that he was doing it to help those less fortunate and to honor his word. He showed characteristics of a hero by sacrificing his personal needs to help others. By building St. Jude's, Thomas demonstrated hero like characteristics while staying loyal to his promise. Thomas was determined to make a difference in the world and represent St. Jude, no matter how long or what it would take. While the hospital was looking for investors, "Frequently, Danny and his wife, Rose Marie, crisscrossed the United States, speaking about his dream to build St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to any group that'd listen, asking for their support. They kept such a hectic pace that Danny and Rose Marie once visited 28 cities in 32 days."("How St. Jude Began"). Thomas and his wife traveled around the country looking for investors which was not an easy job. They faced many rejections and hardships along the way, and also had to leave their 3 children behind while they traveled. He was determined to open the hospital to touch millions of lives around the country and give back to St. Jude. The hospital he was going to build would be where the best doctors would go to help the sick children and the newest research would be discovered. Thomas was so determined to have this, he would do anything. The cost for the hospital was a great amount, but Thomas knew it was the right thing to do, "It would cost $2,000,000 just to build the hospital, not to mention maintaining it. It took Danny over ten years to get most of it; by his own contributions, through endless benefits he played, and by raising it among all the Arabic-speaking people in America."(Thomas). Despite the steep price that the hospital would cost, Thomas was not bitter but rather eager to tackle such a challenge. He had his sight set on the opening of the hospital, and when he made up his mind, there was no talking him out of it. Thomas persevered through tough times, driven by determination. His determination in raising each and every dollar needed to fund the hospital is something only a hero would have.

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Because of Thomas's courage in his career, his loyalty to honor St. Jude and his beliefs, and his determination to make a difference in families dealing with childhood disease, Danny Thomas was able to be an inspirational hero to millions. Thomas, in many stages of his life, could have decided to give up, but never did because of his determination and drive. He had many difficult times in his lifetime, but never allowed them to get in the way of what was truly important to him. Thomas made sure that he stayed loyal to St. Jude, no matter the consequence. The impact Thomas left when he passed away in 1991 touched millions of lives through the hospital. Thanks to him, millions of children's' lives are saved every year from diseases like cancer. Thomas endured many difficult circumstances and conquered them all. He never let anyone tell him he could not do something, such as be a successful actor or open a hospital. He inspires me in his persistence of never giving up. His hard work and dedication to his dreams and ingenuity encourages me to be the best I can possibly be. Millions of others are inspired through his legacy throughout the hospital and retired acting career. Although Thomas passed away, his legacy still carries on and is run by his children. Danny Thomas is a hero because he influenced and made a difference in the lives of millions through his persistence and determination.