St Jude Children\'s Research Hospital

St. Judes Radioathon Information

February 21st & 22nd

About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Country Cares for Kids

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is the single largest treatment and research center in the United States for pediatric cancer and other childhood catastrophic diseases. It is the first, and only, institution established for the sole purpose of conducting basic and clinical research into catastrophic diseases. All research findings are freely shared with the global medical community.

Once a patient is accepted, St. Jude covers all medical costs beyond those covered by insurance. Families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude Hospital also provides transportation, lodging, and meals for every parent and child. On average, 5,700 active patients visit the hospital each year to receive treatment.

In 2010, St. Jude was ranked the most trusted charity in the nation in a public survey conducted by Harris Interactive. St. Jude is the top children’s cancer hospital, according to the 2010 Hospital Rankings published by U.S. News & World Report.

Randy Owen, lead singer of the group Alabama, helped launch the Country Cares for Kids Program in 1989. With more than 200 radio stations, Country Cares for Kids is one of the most successful radio fundraising events in America. Since 1996, KHEY FM has participated in Country Cares for Kids and has helped raised over $1.5 million for the kids at St. Jude.

Success Stories

Country Cares for St. Jude Kids® is one of the most successful radio fundraising events in America. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has been actively involved in radiothon fundraising for more than 30 years. In fact, hundreds of radio stations across the country have helped raise more than $385 million for the life-saving work of St. Jude, and the St. Jude family of partner stations continues to expand. One of the fastest growing radiothon programs is Radio Cares for St. Jude Kids. Focusing on station formats such as Adult Contemporary, Gospel, Urban AC, Lite Rock, Classic Rock and Oldies, Radio Cares is designed to increase the community's awareness and support of St. Jude. A Radio Cares radiothon typically lasts two days and is highlighted by St. Jude patient stories, story song vignettes and exciting radio station promotions, making it a "win-win" not just for St. Jude, but also for the radio station itself.

Many country artists have given their names and time to Country Cares through recorded appeals, visits to the children at the hospital and much more. These stars include Randy Owen, Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Chris Young, Darius Rucker, Keith Urban, Jake Owen and Lady Antebellum.

All segments of the country music industry—artists, record label representatives, artist managers, publishers, songwriters and radio station staff—participate in the Country Cares program.
Randy Owen, lead singer of the group ALABAMA, helped launch the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids program after meeting with hospital founder Danny Thomas.
A typical radiothon lasts two days and is highlighted by St. Jude patient stories and country celebrity vignettes, local patient appearances and exciting radio station promotions. Radiothons are typically held at the radio stations or other populated venues.
All major and many independent country music record labels support the Country Cares program.
Country music reaches a broad and ever-increasing portion of the American audience. Reports show that nearly 44 million adults listen to Country Radio on a weekly basis. Country Radio reaches more adults than any other format—making it America’s top radio format. Country is the leading radio format in the number of stations as well, with more than 2,000 stations airing country music full-time.

Click on the Red button to donate!