Joey Durel Discusses St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

There are few things in this world as horrifying and cruel as childhood cancer. KPEL 965 is joining the fight against childhood cancer with our 2014 St. Jude Radiothon. City-Parish President Joey Durel joined "Mornings with Ken and Bernie" today to talk St. Jude.

"It’s always been one of my favorite charities," remarked Durel of the childhood cancer research hospital.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital opened in 1962 in Memphis, Tennessee. Founder Danny Thomas' premise, "no child should die in the dawn of life", continues to be the hospital's mission statement and goal.

Aside from the incredible medical work and research done at St. Jude, Durel explained that the most fascinating and inspiring aspect of hospital is that no patient is expected to pay for services received.

They don’t have a billing department. You can’t not admire that opportunity for people. - Joey Durel

St. Jude is one of the few research facilities in the world where patients are not expected to pay for treatment. The hospital operates entirely on donations. St. Jude also assists families with transportation, lodging, and meals.