When something attacks you, you want to attack it back. That’s how Lillian “Tooty” Bradford views her late husband James “Jimmy” Bradford Jr.’s decision to make an initial gift to fund melanoma research at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC).

The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt recently hosted the Association of Junior Leagues International Fall Leadership Conference, which featured presentations and a tour of the hospital.

The Nashville Predators Foundation recently presented a $318,242 check to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt for the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund.

For Vanderbilt faculty members Vivien Casagrande, Ph.D., Hal Moses, M.D., and Paul Sternberg Jr., M.D., the lessons about the importance of giving came early.

Whether it’s former classmates or perfect strangers coming together to support a great cause, there is no denying that there is strength in numbers.

Fran Hardcastle still recalls her first volunteer experience — selling papers on Palm Sunday to benefit the Junior League Home for Crippled Children.