St. Jude Encourages Sadaqah Donations During Ramadan to Support Pediatric Cancer Care

The hospital is using the Islamic tradition of charitable giving to provide treatment and hope to families in need.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is encouraging donations known as Sadaqah during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan to support its mission of providing specialized care for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases, regardless of a family's ability to pay. The hospital highlights the story of a young cancer patient named Anwar who is able to experience Ramadan with his family thanks to the support received through Sadaqah donations.

Why it matters

Ramadan is a sacred period in the Islamic faith that emphasizes spiritual discipline and charitable giving. St. Jude's efforts to promote Sadaqah donations during this time align with the tradition's focus on helping those in need, particularly families facing the challenges of pediatric cancer treatment.

The details

St. Jude provides customized care to its patients, addressing barriers to treatment and offering hope to families. The practice of Sadaqah extends beyond financial contributions, encompassing acts of kindness and ongoing charitable endeavors that are believed to earn the healing mercy of Allah. Donations can support essentials like food, water, and healthcare, as well as educational initiatives and medical aid.

  • Ramadan typically falls between March and April each year, based on the lunar calendar.

The players

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

A leading pediatric treatment and research facility that provides specialized care for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases, regardless of a family's ability to pay.

Anwar

A young cancer patient who is able to experience Ramadan with his family thanks to the support received through Sadaqah donations to St. Jude.

SAPA

An Islamic charity that highlights financial assistance for essentials like food, water, and healthcare as a direct way to support a sick person's treatment plan, as well as other forms of Sadaqah like sponsoring educational initiatives and contributing to medical aid.

UNICEF

An organization that is also promoting Sadaqah donations during Ramadan, focusing on providing life-saving aid to children in need, including therapeutic food for severely malnourished children, safe drinking water, and cash assistance to families.

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What’s next

St. Jude is encouraging supporters to send words of encouragement to patients through art created by young patients like Ty.

The takeaway

By promoting Sadaqah donations during Ramadan, St. Jude is tapping into the Islamic tradition of charitable giving to provide critical support and hope to families facing the challenges of pediatric cancer treatment. This effort aligns with the hospital's mission of delivering specialized care to those in need, regardless of their ability to pay.