Revisiting the Brizo Blogger 19 Reunion Trip to St. Jude Hospital

It’s hard to believe a year has gone by since the Brizo Blogger 19 Reunion trip to Memphis.  I still look back fondly on that trip, and all the wonderful events I’ve been fortunate to be a part of since being selected into my Blogger 19 group.  I am truly honored to be associated with a company like Brizo, who not only creates exquisitely functional products, but gives back to the community in such  meaningful and special ways.

Take a peek at my post from last year and our amazing visit to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, a day I will never forget…

Last week, I was part of a select group of interior designers that  had the honor of going to Memphis, TN as a guest of Brizo.  As most of you know, Brizo is a luxury line of artful and highly functional faucets and accessories for the kitchen and bath.

Brizo Virage, via

There are so many reasons I’ve fallen head over heels in love with Brizo and their products lines,  but mostly it is because of the people and their company philosophy.  Brizo is truly “a brand that dreams” and  believes “the power of dreams is without limits”.

In keeping with this philosophy,  Brizo has partnered with St. Jude Children’s Hospital .  St. Jude’s stated mission is to  “find cures for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases through research and treatment. And no family ever pays St. Jude for anything.”  What a wonderful embodiment of dreams without limits!

via

Brizo is a proud sponsor of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital  Dream Home Giveaway, one of the largest single-event fundraisers for St. Jude nationwide.  Across America,  Dream Homes are constructed with builders, designers, plumbers and wholesalers donating their materials/labor to develop the homes.  Once completed, the homes are open for free tours and raffle tickets can be purchased for $100 each for a chance to win the home. All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to St. Jude for the research and treatment of childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases (source).

I am so proud to be connected to this outstanding company and to have had the chance to be part of this trip ~ it gave me an insight to a world of hope and smiles that I didn’t expect…

photo courtesy of Brizo

During our trip “on campus” at St. Jude’s,  we had a tour of the facilities and participated in a patient activity.  The gold domed pavilion was where we started our day. This quote by St. Jude’s founder Danny Thomas touched my heart.

Part of our individual group as we commenced our hospital tour: strangers to start,  friends at the end.

.As we walked the halls of the hospital it was clear St. Jude’s is not a typical institutional space ~ no white or drab gray walls here.   Instead,  themed murals line the hallways and bright colors are everywhere.

I adore this mural because the patients requested that they be depicted in the paintings too…

Our tour guide Alexis told us that as a young entertainer, Danny Thomas’  wife and first born were in the hospital and he couldn’t pay the bill to have them released.  So he prayed to St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes. Mr. Thomas promised to honor St. Jude if he helped him and his family. And St. Jude did come through.  Danny got an entertainment “gig” and the Thomas family was able to come home.  From that day forward Danny Thomas looked for a way to honor his promise to St Jude. In 1962 St. Jude Children’s Hospital opened and to this day his three children participate in it’s operation.

I loved this quote of thanksgiving from Danny Thomas dedicated to everyone who has contributed:

With no insurance companies to deal with and no red tape, a patient can be evaluated by doctors and placed on a treatment plan the very same day ~ incredible!

This is a photo of a rotunda area that displays the flags representing all of the countries that St. Jude’s doctors have come from ~ quite impressive I think.

Amazingly, countries all around the world have access to the research that takes place at St. Jude’s in hopes that working together to find a cure for the most desperate of children’s cancers will soon be found.

The ABC Wall is  a corridor where children have recorded their abc’s while at St. Jude.  They are quite different from my Em or Pally’s.   Take a peek at a few of the little one’s letters…

T is for Tears

V is for “Vomet”

During our visit, we were fortunate to have an hour to play and do activities with some of the young patients.  Brizo had created several unique dollhouses that everyone LOVED! They were complete with sliding walls with different wallpapers, carpets and more. I just know my clients would love these!

photos courtesy of Brizo

I signed up for tile painting and oh what a grand time we had. One young girl  I worked with came to my table in a wheelchair, as I started to help her she said, “NO thank you, I can do this. You know this chair cost $40,000.”  I jumped back and then we got on to painting the tile!  What a wonderful gift to be able to spend time with so many wonderful and courageous children and their families!

St. Jude is a place for all children, teens count here too! A long hallway has been transformed into an art gallery and each year there is a theme.   This year’s theme  is Mirror, Mirror.   I loved these two pieces ~

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a place filled with smiles and color and perhaps most importantly, hope.   Thank you for your vision and for honoring your promise Danny Thomas!

Thank you again to Brizo for this wonderful opportunity!  To learn more about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and how you can help, visit here.  Check back tomorrow for more on my marvelous trip!

xo,

Pamela

Disclosure:  Brizo sponsored  this #Blogger19 reunion event and as their invited guest, Brizo paid for my airfare and travel expenses

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