WLLR is among 32 Clear Channel radio stations nationwide hosting radiothons February 11-12

(Quad Cities, IA) - (February 8, 2010) - Radio station WLLR will host its 18th annual Country Cares for St. Jude Kids radiothon Thursday, February 11th and Friday, February 12th from 6am to 6pm on both days, live from the HyVee in Rock Island, IL and Davenport, IA. The radiothon raises money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, one of the world's premier center for the research and treatment of cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.


Among this year's highlights, Quad Cities-area St. Jude patient Eric will share his experience with radiothon listeners. Eric was a former St. Jude patient and is now healthy and living in the Quad Cities area. Eric is just one of the tens of thousands of children who have benefited from the cutting-edge research and treatment at St. Jude since it opened in 1962. Local listeners interested in helping Eric and other children like him can pledge a donation by calling 800.345.4673 or by visiting WLLR's Web site, www.wllr.com.


At St. Jude, families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance, and no child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. Like most organizations, St. Jude has not been immune to the effects of the economy. Now more than ever, St. Jude needs the support of country music listeners to continue its mission of finding cures and saving children.

 

The radio fundraising program began in 1989 after Randy Owen, lead singer of the music group ALABAMA, met St. Jude founder Danny Thomas. Since its inception, Country Cares has grown to be one of the most successful radio fundraising events in the nation with more than 200 radio station partners raising more than $365 million in pledges.


"I'm so proud that the music that helped me put bread on my table and have a career is the same music and the same fans, to a certain degree, that have made incredible contributions to Country Cares," Owen said. "I look forward to the future. I absolutely know we're making a difference in a very positive way."


St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit www.stjude.org.

 

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