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St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital of Tennessee has confirmed Eric Trump’s account of the money his charity has helped raise for the hospital.
A letter from the hospital said the charity has helped raise $16.3 million for over the past decade, buttressing Trump’s comment that the amount given was more than $15 million.
St. Jude’s is a research and treatment facility for diseases in children, primarily pediatric cancer.
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The letter came despite tax records showing the Eric Trump Foundation raised much less. However, tax records can often be up to two years behind current giving, the New York Times reported.
Thank you @MaggieNYT & @EricLiptonNYT: Hospital Confirms Eric Trump Helped Raise $16.3 Million -NYTimes.com #StJude https://t.co/PjNPloP7cf
— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) January 6, 2017
“I am amazed by the many ways that you have personally embraced our cause and cared for our children and families,” Richard C. Shadyac Jr., president of the hospital’s fund-raising organization, wrote in the Dec. 30 letter, which Eric Trump gave to the Times.
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“As you are aware, we are expanding our lifesaving work and are working to push cure rates even higher in this country and around the world, while improving the lives of survivors by developing and advancing treatments that reduce side effects. We are only able to do this because of the support provided by donors and supporters like you,” Shadyac wrote.
Eric Trump is in the process of removing his name from the charity to avert conflicts of interest. However, many were sad to see Trump step away from the foundation.
@EricTrump is a philanthropist, his foundation has raised and donated tens of millions of $$ for St. Judes. #GodBlessHim https://t.co/6zXKdSahSH
— Rhonda Kazmierski (@KazmierskiR) December 31, 2016
Nere's a thought.
Let's all wish a Happy New Year to those kids at St,Judes.
That lost @EricTrump s fundraising.
Thanks dems.— Hobbes (@Hobbes3259) January 1, 2017
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Eric Trump's Foundation turns over 100% to St Judes Hospital .. closing it down ~ Clinton Foundation 6% to charity + #PayToPlay illegal!
— Sheindie (@Sheindie) December 26, 2016
The Trump Organization will raise money for St. Jude, but by asking patrons to donate instead of seeking donations to Eric Trump’s foundation.
Likewise, Eric Trump has said he will “continue to be a vocal advocate for pediatric cancer and St. Jude’s mission.”
