MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 27, 2019 — Celebrity radio hosts and Urban One’s national network of praise stations lent their voices to help in the fight against childhood cancer, sickle cell disease and other life-threatening diseases during the Radio Cares for St. Jude Kids® event March 7-8. The 11th annual event raised more than $1.6 millionin cash and pledges ensuring that no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® for treatment, travel housing or food.
St. Jude patients and their families were present at stations around the country to share their stories with listening audiences locally and nationally. Osteosarcoma patient, Tyler shared his experience live with Tom Joyner Morning Showlisteners. While six-year-old brain tumor patient Ashtyn and her mother Kiana shared with Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell. Father and son duo Quinten and Quincy visited with the Willie Moore Jr. Show and 17-year-old Keshaun discussed the hope and healing he found at St. Jude during The Nightly Spirit with Darlene McCoy.
Urban One primarily targets urban listeners and is the top supporter of the annual fundraising event with radio partners in 30 markets participating in the campaign. Since 2008, the event has raised nearly $14 million in cash and pledges.
During the event, thousands of radio listeners across the U.S. called in or went online to become Partners in Hope, joining the #ThisShirtSavesLives movement by pledging to make a monthly donation of $20 or more to support the St. Jude mission. Nationally syndicated personalities Willie Moore, Jr. and Erica Campbell led the way with a live on-air event that coincided with a social push from celebrity artists and influencers in their THIS SHIRT t-shirts. Radio One deejays helped to share the mission and vision of St. Jude through testimonies from local patient families, updates on new research and new advances in treatment.
“We are extremely grateful for the partnership with Urban One and its network of music stations and personalities who lend their hearts, time and talent to support our lifesaving mission,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Funds raised through the Urban Radio Cares for St. Jude Kids program and our Partners in Hope are critical given 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.”
This year’s top fundraising stations are WPZE in Atlanta, Ga., WPRS in Washington, D.C., and WNNL in Raleigh, N.C.. WPPZ and WRNB in Philadelphia, Pa., and WPZZ and WKJM of Richmond, Va. also topped the leaderboard of this year’s national fundraising effort.
To join the #ThisShirtSavesLives movement and become a Partner in Hope, visit thisshirtsaveslives.org.