Country music industry unites to help children of St. Jude

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (ALSAC)
Monday, 10 January 2000

Country music raises $106 million for children with catastrophic diseases.

Country radio unites for seminar sponsored by United Service Association For Health Care and CountryCool.com.

(Memphis, Tennessee, January 10, 2000) Some of country music's biggest names and representatives of more than 160 country radio stations will come together in Memphis this weekend to prepare for nationwide Country Cares for St. Jude Kids® radiothons—proving once again that "Country Cares" for the children of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, The Kinleys, Bryan White, The Wilkinsons and Randy Owen of the Grammy® Award-winning group ALABAMA are among the celebrities who will tour internationally-renowned St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and attend seminar activities at the Peabody Hotel Jan. 14 and 15.

During the weekend event, which is sponsored by United Service Association For Health Care and CountryCool.com, the celebrities and radio station personnel will hear several St. Jude patients share their stories of surviving childhood cancer. Other activities include tours of St. Jude, radiothon training sessions and a dinner featuring well-known country songwriters.

Since the "Country Cares" program began eleven years ago, U.S. country radio stations have raised more than $106 million in pledges for St. Jude, the single largest center in the United States for the treatment and research of cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

"Country Cares" grew out of the inspiration of ALABAMA's Owen, who challenged the country music industry to support St. Jude at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville in 1989. Since his call to action, members of all segments of the country music industry have devoted themselves to helping St. Jude by coming together every year for the past 10 years to sponsor Country Cares for St. Jude Kids® radiothons nationwide. Last year alone, country music radio stations and their volunteers raised more than $20 million in pledges for St. Jude patients through two-day radiothons in their local markets.

"It's unprecedented for an entire segment of the entertainment industry to unite around a particular charity in such a sustained and lasting way as country music has done for St. Jude," said Terre Thomas, hospital board member and daughter of St. Jude founder, Danny Thomas. "Country music professionals, stars and fans are the best friends the children who come to St. Jude could ever hope for. The money they have raised makes miracles happen for these children."

The "Country Cares" seminar is presented by United Service Association For Health Care (USA+) and CountryCool.com.

The program's sponsor since its inception, USA+ has contributed more than $500,000 to "Country Cares" in its 11-year partnership with St. Jude. USA+ provides some of the nation's most innovative consumer products and services with substantial savings from nationally recognized companies specializing in health care, financial services, travel and entertainment, and family benefits.

This is the first year that CountryCool.com has sponsored the Country Cares seminar. CountryCool.com, the leading electronic gateway for information about country music, is continuing a proud tradition of bringing fully interactive options to country music fans. Established in 1996, the site provides an archive of information including in-depth interviews with top country artists, the latest original country music and NASCAR news, album reviews, chats, webcasts, an online Country Store, exclusive streaming audio and video, downloads, auctions, contests and free e-mail service for subscribers.

St. Jude and the country radio industry work together with some of the biggest names in country music each year to prepare for Country Cares for St. Jude Kids.® Music stars including Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Kevin Sharp and Reba McEntire record patient stories and personal messages of support that stations hosting "Country Cares" radiothons may use to promote the event and attract support from local country music fans.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in Memphis, Tennessee, was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas. The hospital is an internationally recognized biomedical research center dedicated to finding cures for catastrophic diseases of childhood. The hospital's work is supported through funds raised by the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC). All St. Jude patients are treated regardless of their ability to pay. ALSAC covers all costs of treatment beyond those reimbursed by third party insurers, and total costs for families who have no insurance.

For more information, or to contact St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (ALSAC), see their website at: www.stjude.org