Meet Our Patient Speaker

Anna Smith

Anna is a recent college graduate who is embracing life in New York City with open arms. She moved there in 2024 to take a job in finance after graduating from Northwestern University. When she’s not at work, Anna can be found walking through the busy streets of the Big Apple discovering new eateries, wandering through museums or simply enjoying sushi or a cup of coffee while soaking in the urban landscape.  

“I love exploring all the different neighborhoods,” she said. “I’m a huge foodie, and love finding new places to eat.” 

Several years earlier, when Anna was 15 and a high school student in Missouri, she began to feel fatigued and bruised easily. At first, she thought it was due to hours of practice with her school’s dance team. But after a routine checkup, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Anna was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® where she received chemotherapy and completed treatment in 2018.  

Anna said she is doing well, and that St. Jude will always have a special place in her heart. She visits St. Jude every year for checkups and keeps in touch with her doctor. 

“I look forward to going back,” she said. “My experience at St. Jude made me eager to take on new challenges and gave me the resilience of taking on new things.”  

Event Schedule

7:00 p.m.  •  Cocktail Reception Begins

8:25p.m. •  Welcome Remarks

Emcee, Katie Corrado, PIX11

8:30 p.m. •  Dinner Break

9:00 p.m. •  Program Begins

Emcee, Katie Corrado, PIX11

Auctioneer, CK Swett

Patient Speaker, Anna Smith

10:30 p.m.  •  Silent Auction Closes

Pick up your auction item(s) at check-out

10:00 p.m.-12:00am  •  Dancing

Entertainment, DJ Shant

Thank you to our event committee

Event Committee

Jennifer Crescitelli

Karen DiDonato

Colleen Donaghy

Yisell Estevez

Janet Feliciano

Audrey Gabel

Laura Geraci

Suzette Del Guidice

Milena Haber

Donna Lumia

Sheila Maier

Samera Martinez

Christina McManus

Orel McNamee

Randi Morris

Nicole Otto

Danielle Otto

Melissa Perez

Maria Staphos

Roseann Todd

Judy Toma

Mary Trenkmann

Shilpa Trivedi

Alla Vitti

Nicole Zingarelli