St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® and iHeartMedia set radiothon fundraising record with more than $7 million in donations

MEMPHIS, Tenn. /PRNewswire/ -- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital^® partner iHeartMedia mobilized 35 radio stations across the country and collectively raised more than $7 million during its annual Country Cares for St. Jude Kids national radiothon Dec. 6-7, shattering last year's record.

St. Jude and iHeartMedia have enjoyed a longstanding partnership for more than 30 years, generating nearly $100 million in the past decade for the hospital by relying on the power of radio and the generosity of local listeners.

This year's $7 million fundraising total marks iHeartMedia's largest national radio campaign with St. Jude, topping last year's record of $5.6 million. The fundraising event encouraged radio listeners to pledge $20 per month to become Partners in Hope to help St. Jude, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. The event was supported across iHeartMedia markets in conjunction with The Bobby Bones Show, iHeartMedia's nationally syndicated award-winning country morning show, which alone raised nearly $2 million.  Additionally, Bones' Million Dollar Show in Nashville on Jan. 14, which also benefits St. Jude, sold out within 30 minutes of going on sale. Between the annual show and other ongoing initiatives, Bones and his radio show have helped raise nearly $10 million for St. Jude to date.    

Additionally, more than 100 country music artists including Reba McEntire, Florida Georgia Line, Brett Eldredge, Darius Rucker, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett and others are lending their support to the This Shirt Saves Lives campaign, which has created a giving movement through the now-iconic T-shirt being shared in photos across celebrity social channels.

The social media push has attracted thousands of new Partners in Hope and sustaining donors in support of the life-saving research and treatment being done at St. Jude. A collection of artist and influencer social posts is featured at thisshirtsaveslives.org.

"Country Cares for St. Jude Kids is a great example of the collective power of iHeartMedia's radio stations to mobilize communities to take action and improve the lives of children and families living within their own neighborhoods," said Rod Phillips, iHeartCountry's executive vice president of programming.  "Through the power of storytelling and local, on-the-ground engagement, our country radio stations have come together to support St. Jude patients and families for over 30 years. We look forward to many more successful fundraising events in 2019 and beyond!"

"We are grateful for our longstanding partner iHeartMedia and the dedicated stations, on-air personalities and listeners for embracing our lifesaving mission," said Richard Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "This record-breaking year is a testament to all of our friends in the country music industry, including the indefatigable Bobby Bones, who all came together to touch communities across the country. Their time and efforts inspired thousands upon thousands of people from all walks of life to support St. Jude in continuing the work of treating and finding cures for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases."

Participating iHeartMedia radio stations include: WQIK Jacksonville, KKIX Fayetteville, WNCB Raleigh, KYKR Beaumont, WCTQ Sarasota, KASE Austin, KTOM Salinas, WCOL Columbus, WMSI Jackson, WMIL Milwaukee, WMAN Madison, WKKT Charlotte, WGAR Cleveland ,WNCO Mansfield, KSSN Little Rock, WKSJ Mobile, WDSD Wilmington, KMFX Rochester, WSSL Greenville, WAMZ Louisville, KTST Oklahoma City, KWNR Las Vegas, WMZQ Washington, D.C., WAVW Port St. Lucie, WSIX Nashville, WBWL Boston, WWYZ Hartford, WDXB Birmingham, WYYD Lynchburg, WKCY Harrisonburg, WNOE New Orleans, KCCY Colorado Springs, KKSY Cedar Rapids, WKKR Auburn, KHEY El Paso, KEEY Minneapolis, WTQR Greensboro, WPOC Baltimore and KAJA San Antonio.

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: 
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.^® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. 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. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on Twitter and Instagram and subscribing to its YouTube channel.

About iHeartMedia:
iHeartMedia is the number one audio company in the United States, reaching nine out of 10 Americans every month – and with its quarter of a billion monthly listeners, has a greater reach than any other media company in the U.S. The company's leadership position in audio extends across multiple platforms including 850 live broadcast stations; streaming music, radio and on demand via its iHeartRadio digital service available across more than 250 platforms and 2,000 devices including smart speakers, digital auto dashes, tablets, wearables, smartphones, virtual assistants, TVs and gaming consoles; through its influencers; social; branded iconic live music events; and podcasts as the #1 commercial podcast publisher globally. iHeartMedia also leads the audio industry in analytics and attribution technology for its marketing partners, using data from its massive consumer base. iHeartMedia is a division of iHeartMedia, Inc. (PINK: IHRTQ). Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.

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SOURCE ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital