Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Marks 35 Years, $1 Billion Raised

/by

Pictured (L-R): Brad Paisley & Randy Owen; Photo: Courtesy of ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Country Cares for St. Jude Kids recently celebrated its 35th anniversary, announcing a milestone achievement of raising one billion dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital since 1989. The announcement was made during an annual gathering in Memphis, Tennessee, that featured performances by Brad Paisley, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi and Megan Moroney.

Pictured: Old Dominion receives the Angels Among Us Award; Photo: Courtesy of ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Over the years, the program has raised funds and brought in monthly donors through radiothons, the “This Shirt Saves Lives” campaign, events and concerts. These initiatives help St. Jude cover its annual operating costs of nearly two billion dollars.

“What the country music community has been able to achieve through Country Cares is breathtaking. We are deeply honored and grateful for Randy Owen’s passion and dedication in answering the call from our founder Danny Thomas to get involved and for rallying fellow artists, radio stations and fans for over three decades to support St. Jude. Together, they have scaled new heights with this program, placing it among the very highest level of fundraising in our history,” explains  Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of  ALSAC. “That is the power of country music and its fans, who inspire all of us to find ways to help one another and live charitably. Thanks to the support of this amazing community, St. Jude can continue to ensure that no family receives a bill from St. Jude for that treatment so they can focus on helping their child live.”

Pictured (L-R): Old Dominion, Megan Moroney and Randy Owen with St. Jude patients; Photo: Courtesy of ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Due to his contributions, a studio at St. Jude has been dedicated in honor of Randy Owen and his wife, Kelly. Owen helped initiate the Country Cares program and establish the Angels Among Us award, which recognizes country music professionals for their service to St. Jude. This year’s award was presented to Old Dominion, joining a list of past recipients including Brothers Osborne, Scotty McCreery, Lady A, Jake Owen and Paisley.

“It is an honor to have this studio named after us,” says Randy and Kelly. “For 35 years, we’ve had the privilege of sharing the story of St. Jude with the world and seeing the impact our efforts make through meeting patients and their families. I am grateful to serve this incredible mission.”

John Nix Arledge
Latest posts by John Nix Arledge (see all)