If you’ve ever watched a late-night telethon or seen a celebrity like Marlo Thomas talking about sick kids, you probably know the name. But honestly, most people have a fuzzy idea of where the place actually sits on a map. Is it a chain? Is it just one building?
Where is St Jude’s Hospital? The short answer: it’s in Memphis, Tennessee.
Specifically, you’ll find the main campus at 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. It’s located in the downtown area, right near the Mississippi River. It isn't just a hospital; it's a massive research hub that takes up a huge chunk of the city's skyline.
The Memphis Campus: More Than Just a Medical Center
Memphis is the heart and soul of this operation. When Danny Thomas—a struggling actor who eventually became a massive star—founded the place in 1962, he chose Memphis for a very specific reason. Back then, the South was heavily segregated. Thomas wanted a hospital where race, religion, and money didn't matter.
He basically told the world that no child should die in the "dawn of life."
Today, that Memphis campus is a sprawling 60-plus acre complex. It feels less like a sterile clinic and more like a high-tech university campus mixed with a playground. You’ve got the Patient Care Center, the Danny Thomas Research Center, and even housing like Domino’s Village where families stay.
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It’s a city within a city.
Are There Other St. Jude Locations?
This is where people get confused. You might see a "St. Jude" in California or Illinois and think it's the same thing. Usually, it’s not. There are tons of Catholic hospitals named after St. Jude Thaddeus (the patron saint of lost causes), but they aren't affiliated with the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital mission.
However, there is an Affiliate Program.
Basically, St. Jude (the Memphis one) partners with other hospitals so kids don't always have to fly to Tennessee for every single treatment. These affiliate clinics use the same protocols as the main hub. As of 2026, there are eight primary affiliate sites:
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Our Lady of the Lake)
- Charlotte, North Carolina (Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital)
- Huntsville, Alabama (Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children)
- Johnson City, Tennessee (Niswonger Children’s Hospital)
- Peoria, Illinois (OSF Healthcare Children’s Hospital of Illinois)
- Shreveport, Louisiana (Feist-Weiller Cancer Center)
- Springfield, Missouri (Mercy Children’s Hospital)
- Tulsa, Oklahoma (The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis)
If you aren't at one of these eight specific spots, you aren't at a "St. Jude" affiliate.
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Getting There: Logistics and Travel
If your child is accepted as a patient, the logistics are actually handled for you. This is the part that blows people's minds. St. Jude pays for the travel, the housing, and the food.
If you live more than 250 miles away, they’ll usually fly you and two caregivers into Memphis International Airport (MEM). From there, they have a shuttle system that runs 24/7.
Driving? You’ll likely take I-40 or I-55 right into the heart of Memphis. The hospital has a North Lauderdale Street entrance that leads to free valet parking. They really try to make it so the only thing you're worrying about is your kid getting better.
Why the Location Matters Globally
It’s not just about the kids in the rooms in Memphis. The research done at 262 Danny Thomas Place is shared with the world. When St. Jude opened in '62, the survival rate for childhood leukemia was a dismal 4%. Now? It's over 94%.
They have something called the St. Jude Global Alliance. It’s a network of over 350 institutions in 90-plus countries. So, in a weird way, the "location" of St. Jude is everywhere, even though the physical headquarters stays firmly in Tennessee.
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Dealing with the Costs (The Real Deal)
You’ve probably heard the claim: "Families never receive a bill."
That’s true.
But here’s the nuance. St. Jude does bill insurance companies if a family has coverage. They have to—it costs more than $2 billion a year to run the place. But if insurance doesn't cover it, or if you don't have insurance at all, you never see a bill for treatment, travel, or housing.
About 82 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to the research and treatment. That’s a pretty high ratio for a non-profit of this scale.
Actionable Steps if You Need Help
If you’re searching for the location because you actually need medical help, don't just show up at the door in Memphis. They don't have a traditional Emergency Room.
- Get a Referral: Most patients are referred by a local doctor.
- Check Eligibility: They only treat specific "catastrophic diseases," mostly cancers and blood disorders like sickle cell.
- Call the Main Line: If you're a physician or a parent seeking a consultation, the number is 1-866-278-5833.
- Use the App: St. Jude has a "St. Jude Patient" app that handles campus maps, shuttle schedules, and appointment tracking.
Memphis is a long way for a lot of people, but for those who end up there, it's often the only place left to go. Knowing exactly where it is—and how the affiliate system works—is the first step in navigating a really scary situation.