THE PERFECT TRIBUTE FOR A MAN WHO LOVED ST. JUDE

Gordon McCoy and his wife Helen

In 1960, Gordon McCoy; his wife, Helen; and the couple's six children loaded up all of their belongings and traveled from Chicago, Illinois, to Fullerton, California. The young surgeon had heard of the new St. Jude Hospital, and he was excited to join its staff.

"He was very busy from the time we came," Helen remembers. Gordon quickly took as many ER rotations as he could get in various hospitals and was on the staff at three or four hospitals. His heart, however, was always with St. Jude.

"He loved it," Helen says. "He just enjoyed working there so much-everything about it! He thought it was the most well-run hospital and the safest for patients." And for Gordon, patients meant everything. He made house calls on holidays; he took care of many people free of charge. His reputation was known throughout the area. "He was very giving," Helen adds. "He never cared about money; he just cared about taking care of people."

Gordon worked more than 40 years at St. Jude; at the same time, he and Helen expanded their family. Six more children were born at St. Jude, one of whom they lost. Helen stayed busy with school functions and committees, as well as serving on the Assistance League of Fullerton. Gordon worked tirelessly and influenced his children to pursue their own educations and find careers where they could help others.

Today, the McCoy children include physicians, nurses, attorneys and a teacher. Nancy McCoy serves on the Foundation Board of Directors, and Dr. Robert McCoy has taken over his father's practice.

Gordon passed away in 2003. As Helen and the children considered how to honor his memory, nothing seemed more fitting than pledging a gift to the hospital he cherished. All 11 children, regardless of their financial status, pledged to make a gift. Helen pledged an immediate gift and then set up an additional bequest in her estate.

"[The children] were so eager to do something to honor their dad, as was I to honor my husband," Helen explains. "We were delighted to do it-especially at a place that has taken care of our whole family over many, many years." And, Helen knows her husband would be proud. As she says, "He is smiling down on that beautiful medical center right now."

St. Jude Medical Center is a faith-based, nonprofit hospital that is committed to remaining one of Southern California's most respected and technologically advanced medical centers. Our physicians and patients count on generous donors like Helen McCoy and her family to help ensure quality health care for the community.