35 Years and One Billion Dollars Later: Country Music’s Everlasting Impact on St. Jude
For 35 years, the country music community has shown just how powerful its voice can be, not only through the songs we love but also through the hope it spreads. At this year’s Country Cares for St. Jude Kids® celebration, a remarkable milestone was reached: one billion dollars raised since 1989 for the kids and families of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. Hosted at the annual gathering, the announcement saw the country music family—led by stars like Randy Owen, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, and Megan Moroney—come together to commemorate this transformative achievement.
Photo Credit ALSAC - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Randy Owen, the founding force behind Country Cares, reminisced on the program’s beginnings and its evolution over three decades. “Danny [Thomas] told me he wanted to make a difference for these kids, and that’s what stuck with me all these years,” Owen shared. His dedication inspired generations of artists to embrace St. Jude’s cause, rallying fans and radiothon listeners alike to raise a billion dollars for research and patient care at the hospital. Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization for St. Jude, reflected on the significance of this achievement. “It’s breathtaking, really—the way country music has turned compassion into action. The support of this community ensures that St. Jude families receive care without ever seeing a bill. It’s this generosity that keeps St. Jude’s mission thriving.”
Sitting down with All Country News and other media outlets, Old Dominion, who received the Angels Among Us Award, expressed their deep gratitude for being part of the movement, sharing how their role as fathers motivates them to keep St. Jude close to their hearts. “At our core, we’re fathers first,” they explained, recalling how their first hospital tour struck a powerful chord within them. “It just felt so right to help however we could. Being in our position, where we get to do what we love, it’s really easy to say yes when someone asks for help. It’s truly a blessing for us to be a part of it.”
Photo Credit ALSAC - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Megan Moroney, visiting the St. Jude campus for the first time, was moved by the hospital’s intentional approach to supporting not only the children but also their families. “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen, the way they prioritize each child and family,” Moroney said. “I just wish every children’s hospital could be like this.”
Photo Credit ALSAC - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Perhaps most poignantly, songwriter Drew Parker shared a heartwarming story from his day at St. Jude. “I got to paint cookies with a little girl named Sam. She told me about ‘Duane,’ her two-and-a-half-pound tumor, and she just laughed and smiled the whole time.” He wore a bracelet that read “Ditch Duane” in honor of Sam’s journey. Seeing her resilience, Parker felt both moved and inspired. “I thought about the small things that frustrate me in life, and then I saw her just shining despite everything. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
Photo Credit ALSAC - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Randy Owen, the founder of Country Cares, also spoke to All Country News and other outlets, reflecting on the past 35 years. “It’s the reason why we do what we do. If you could see where I’ve been over the years, especially now with the advancements in research, you’d understand. I hope that at least one star, hopefully several stars, take to heart what has been a part of my life all these years and are willing to hunker down, put in the time, and truly care for the lives of these beautiful children. I hate cancer. I hate the word. And now, to see the success rate—it's beautiful.”
Country Cares has evolved beyond fundraising; it’s become a beacon of hope. Through its efforts, St. Jude has been able to sustain groundbreaking research and treatments that are shared worldwide. From a time when childhood cancer was often a death sentence, St. Jude has transformed survival rates from 20% to over 80%. This monumental success comes down to one unbreakable bond—the country music community and its unwavering support for St. Jude’s mission to ensure that no family has to worry about treatment costs, housing, or food. Every dollar raised empowers St. Jude to continue advancing pediatric cancer research, bringing the world closer to a future where no child dies from cancer.
Photo Credit ALSAC - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
As Country Cares for St. Jude Kids® looks to the future, this milestone is a reminder of what the heart of country music can accomplish when it stands united. With leaders like Randy Owen and a new generation of artists stepping forward, St. Jude’s mission remains vibrant, hopeful, and unstoppable.