iHM Country Cares Radiothon Raises $7M+

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.

Rod Phillips

"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.

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.