Thanksgiving Day 2014:  Marlo Thomas received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, during a special ceremony at the 
White House on Nov. 24.

"I can't help but think of my immigrant grandparents, and how proud they would be of their granddaughter receiving this wonderful recognition from the 
President of the country they so dearly loved," said Marlo Thomas. "And so I humbly accept this honor in their name, and in the spirit of the American 
dream."

Marlo Thomas is the National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The daughter of legendary entertainer Danny Thomas. Along with 
siblings Terre and Tony Thomas, Marlo created St. Jude Thanks and Giving, a national campaign that encourages holiday shoppers to support the lifesaving 
work of St. Jude. It has raised more than $487 million over the past decade.

"Marlo Thomas has devoted much of her life to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the fight against childhood cancer," said Richard Shadyac, Jr., 
President and CEO, ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude.

"She has worked tirelessly to further her father's dream that 'no child die in the dawn of life,' while creating her own incredible legacy as a champion 
of the children and women of the world. The awareness and funds Ms. Thomas has raised ensure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for 
treatment, travel, housing or food - because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. She is truly deserving of the nation's highest 
civilian honor."

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the security or national interests of the United 
States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. 

The White House wrote that Marlo Thomas received the award  "For giving voice to the less fortunate, breaking barriers by portraying television's first 
single working woman on That Girl, teaching children to be Free to Be...You and Me" in a statement. 

 "Thomas inspires us all to dream bigger and reach higher," the White House statement added.

The Marlo Thomas Center for Global Education and Collaboration was unveiled and opened on the St. Jude campus last week. The Center also will become the 
hub for the St. Jude International Outreach Program.

Marlo Thomas is one of 19 honorees this year.