Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (rt) and actress Marlo Thomas at the dedication of The Marlo Thomas Center for Global Education & Collaboration at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Karen Pulfer Focht)

The 38,000-square-foot center will be used as a teaching center. Their goal is to improve childhood cancer survival rates, by sharing knowledge with doctors around the world.

Clinton, a former secretary of state, senator and a potential 2016 presidential candidate and Marlo Thomas had a warm relationship on stage, smiling, laughing and crying together. Hillary said she made a point of wearing no mascara, anticipating tears.

Thomas is the daughter of St. Jude founder Danny Thomas. She has taken it upon herself to oversee the legacy her father left behind, to make sure "No child should die in the dawn of life."

President Barack Obama named Marlo Thomas as a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. She will be awarded next week.