¶ … busy schedules to attend this very special event. I understand your work load is rough right now, and you might find it difficult to concentrate on anything but exams and midterms. But I believe you will all find this special event to be worth every minute.

I know most of you want to make a difference in the world. That's why you're in college now. Sure, you want to earn your degree so that you can get a good job and make lots of money. But most of us also realize at some point that we have a greater purpose and responsibility in life. Some of you want to and will become heroes.

In fact, we're here to talk about how each of you can be a hero and make a difference in the world. We're here because no matter what you are studying in school, you have the power to help sick children recover from catastrophic illnesses. You don't have to be a pre-med student to make a difference in the lives of the children at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Leave the details up to the doctors and scientists at St. Jude's. All you need is a big heart. A heart as big as that of television actor Danny Thomas.

Most of you are too young to remember Danny Thomas, and unless you are television and film majors are probably unfamiliar with his show from the 1950s, Make Room for Daddy. That's OK. Of course, we're not here to talk about 1950s television. We're here to talk about heroes, and you can become one too.

Danny Thomas was no doctor. He was an actor and a television producer who one day realized the power of the media to create change in the world. Danny used his television notoriety to raise awareness about St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. That's why it is my pleasure to introduce to you the one and only Danny Thomas. Please give a round of applause for one of our real life heroes.

References

"Danny Thomas Biography." Who2.com. Retrieved feb 7, 2010 from http://www.who2.com/dannythomas.html

St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Web site retrieved Feb 7, 2010 from http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f2bfab46cb118010VgnVCM1000000e2015acRCRD