“The most basic reason why I donate? St. Louis Children’s Hospital saved my life.”— Joe Schlafly

St. Louis native Joe Schlafly is an investment banker and venture capitalist who donates to the Children’s Discovery Institute. In the 1980s, Mr. Schlafly was a member of the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Development Board, but his relationship with the hospital dates back to his childhood. Today, as a specialist in life-sciences investing, he remains actively involved with our region’s scientific and medical communities. 

Mr. Schlafly spoke with us about what inspires his commitment to children’s health. 

Question: What motivates you to give to the Children’s Discovery Institute? 

JS: The most basic reason is that St Louis Children’s Hospital saved my life. In the early 1950s, when I was 4 years old, I developed a very serious nephritis. My kidney problem was life threatening. 

I was in and out of the hospital for two or three years, staying in for up to three months at a time. Fortunately, the physicians who treated me really valued research, and had conducted investigations here and in Europe. They gave me what was then a new therapy—cortisone—which had just been synthesized and introduced. One of my doctors was Dr. Hulda Wultmann, the chief resident and a pioneering woman physician who mentored a generation of great pediatricians. 

I am here today because of the care I received at Children’s Hospital. The hospital, with its tradition of research, is profoundly important to me. I wouldn’t be alive without it.

Question: Is there something special about the Children’s Discovery Institute that influences your decision to donate? 

JS: Absolutely. The Children’s Discovery Institute is unique. Encouraging scientific collaborations between Children’s Hospital and Washington University will only help boost the national and international prestige of our facilities. Ultimately, that will improve the business climate and quality of life in St. Louis. 

Question: Does giving to the Institute dovetail with your economic vision for St. Louis? 

JS: I am passionate about St. Louis and the intellectual assets we have here. What our scientists discover can and should be commercialized—starting with early stage venture capital and eventually leading to new products, services, and therapies. 

I am hopeful that St. Louis will focus more on the commercialization of its great research. We should be as open to private funding as we are to grants from the National Institutes of Health. Commercialization is a dynamic process that links us with cities around the nation and around the world. That means more good jobs and more economic activity throughout St. Louis. 

Question: What would you say to people who may want to donate, but who are concerned about the recession? 

JS: My short answer is “go ahead and give.” I’m a firm believer that one should never waste a good recession—there’s no better time to invest in and support your community. The Children’s Discovery Institute has a chance to propel Children’s Hospital to become an extraordinary global institution located right here in St. Louis. The Institute has a real head start, through its ability to fund the important work necessary for breakthroughs in children’s health. 

Through tough times like these, while other institutions are struggling, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University should prosper. Giving now to the Children’s Discovery Institute advances two noble causes: a better St. Louis and a better life for kids.