Caught Caring: Marcia Gay Harden, Carnival Cruise Lines and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
 |
It’s not every day that you’re made godmother of a cruise ship, but Marcia Gay Harden was recently named just that.
In November, the actress and mom-of-three was on hand to officially christen Carnival Dream — the newest, largest and most family-friendly cruise ship in Carnival Cruise Lines fleet. An old maritime tradition, a ship’s godmother not only names the vessel, she also wishes it safe passage — something Marcia, 50, calls “a lovely idea.”
Her motivation, however, went beyond symbolism. “What really made me feel close to the project,” she explains, “is that they’re donating millions of dollars to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for kids who are dealing with cancer.”
 Bryan Bedder/Getty |
$3 million, to be exact! The multi-year partnership has a lofty fund-raising goal indeed, and it has already produced a book: The Dream Plucker of Perrysport.
Written by children aboard Carnival Cruise Line ships, it stresses the importance of following your dreams.
Last week, Marcia read the book to schoolchildren in Brooklyn, and spoke afterward of why she chose to get involved.
“Kids are an issue that’s close to me,” she explains. “I love, love, love children.”
“I’ve been to St. Jude’s before, and my daughter’s come with me, and she said ‘These girls are the heroes.’ There [are] many, many charities that I’m involved in, but this program, providing millions and millions of dollars for cancer research — I think it’s fantastic.”
A one-of-a-kind pediatric treatment and research facility in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude’s is a place where the sickest of sick children are likely to wind up.
All patients accepted in a protocol there are treated regardless of their family’s ability to pay.
As a result, funding is always an issue — and the hospital has built America’s second-largest health care charity to keep up with demand.
To support the hospital, under the theme ‘Care to Play,’ Carnival has created several fun, interactive fund-raising activities on board the Carnival Dream which will involve guest participation. The cruise line has also vowed to donate hundreds of copies of The Dream Plucker of Perrysport to the hospital.
To learn of other ways you can help, click here.
Marcia’s three children with husband Thaddaeus Scheel are Eulala Grace, 11, and 5 ½-year-old twins Julitta Dee and Hudson Harden.
