This week, the radio station I work for is helping to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I’d like to ask you to join us in doing so.

Several years ago, when I was working at another radio station in my hometown, I was sent to St. Jude as part of the training for a Radiothon we’d be putting on. The trip was both amazing and sad. Amazing because of the work they do, but sad because you get to meet the people who are working with children suffering from cancer and the families that have to go through the experience.

One story we were told while we were there – and I apologize if I messed up any of the facts because it’s been a while – was the story of a young girl who wanted nothing more than to have a wedding. She and a boy at the hospital were friends, and they had a “wedding” to celebrate. There was a big party, with everyone celebrating those two fighters.

This past October, I was there again with radio folks from all over the country. We met several kids who were current or former patients. We heard from doctors and researchers who were making groundbreaking discoveries in the field of cancer research. We toured several of the facilities and saw firsthand what it is St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does. 

It’s almost impossible to describe the emotions of the person at St. Jude who was telling us this story. They were telling us one of the best and worst stories of all time. Two kids got to have this big party to celebrate their friendship, and everyone had a good time… but they had the party as kids because they weren’t guaranteed to make it to adulthood to celebrate that life event. It shook every single one of us there.

There are real miracles out there, some divine intervention and some that are made possible from divine inspiration. What began all those years ago, with Danny Thomas establishing St. Jude, is an example of the latter.

In 1962, we opened as one of the first fully integrated children's hospitals in the South. Today, we stand tall on the 61-year history of continued care for some of the world's sickest children regardless of race, ethnicity, beliefs or ability to pay. pic.twitter.com/CpSGjg4ydT

— St. Jude (@StJude) February 2, 2023

It costs more than $1 billion per year to run St. Jude. They don’t just treat childhood cancer, they research it. Make scientific breakthroughs. They innovate procedures and treatments. They see more than 8,000 children per year, and while not every child makes it, every child is well cared for.

And it’s not just the children. The St. Jude campus offers housing for their families. They provide meals and groceries. They give families everything they need in their most trying time. And it’s absolutely essential that their work continues.

What St. Jude does is truly phenomenal work. I cannot begin to describe what I felt being there, seeing what they do, and talking to the people who work with these children and families.

Because of supporters like you, families like Eri'Elle's never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food—so they can focus on helping their child live. 💛 Learn more about how you can get involved: https://t.co/WRJx3qAD17 pic.twitter.com/nf5MFJpvkU

— St. Jude (@StJude) February 1, 2023

On my show today at 6 p.m. (EST), I’ll be encouraging my listeners to become donors. I know that the economy is what it is and that extra expenses are harder to come by, but if you can, I am encouraging the same of you. For $19 per month, you can become one of St. Jude’s Partners In Hope.  Donating is simple. You can do so online at www.stjude.org, by phone at 1-800-372-4999, or by texting “LIVE” to 626262 and tapping the link from St. Jude to donate via your smartphone.