Country Cares was created by Randy Owen in 1989, to help raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which offers completely free healthcare for children battling cancer and other serious illnesses. St. Jude also provides food and housing for families, and makes sure that every need is taken care of, so the families can focus solely on their child getting well.
To date, Country Cares has raised an astonishing one billion dollars, thanks to so many country artists who have made it their mission to support the work of St. Jude.
Drew Baldridge recently visited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for the first time, as part of the annual Country Cares event, and was in awe of how much attention is given to every detail, big and small.
“I’m a new dad,” the “She’s Somebody’s Daughter” singer says. “I have a two-year-old little baby boy, and this place is so special. I cannot imagine all the things they think of. It’s not just care for the kid. They think of the family. If you’re a parent, all the stress that you’re going through — obviously, it’s the kid first. But all the stress that’s on you, and all the things that you’re going through, they help you. You have housing here. You live here.
“I was talking to a family that said they have been here for four months,” he adds. “They’re in a townhome and it’s beautiful, and they don’t have to worry. They don’t have to pay for anything. It’s zero dollars. Even the kids in high school, they have a homecoming. They think about everything.”
Scotty Hasting found an unlikely connection with the families and patients at St. Jude. The Army veteran was able to relate to both the children and their parents in a way few people can, since he also knows what it’s like to spend so much time inside the walls of a hospital.
“There’s such a sense of community here,” Hasting reflects. “St Jude is more than just a hospital. It’s incredible. And it’s something that I felt, when I was at Walter Reed, after I was injured, where we had that same community, and we had that same family. When they were talking about that, it was so easy for me to connect and understand that, because I’ve been there. It was really cool to meet with and talk to people who have survived, and then came back and work for St. Jude. Just understand that little bit of missing this place and wanting to give back. I completely understand that, because I know what it’s like to live in a hospital. I did it for a while. It was truly incredible.”
Avery Anna’s debut Breakup Over Breakfast album was just released. With her star already on the rise, the 20-year-old is determined to use her success to help advocate for St. Jude.
“St. Jude is highly important for me as an artist and a celebrity to support, because I see how much it affects the families and the kids,” she says. “I just went to the hospital today and met some of the kids. They get to make music in the hospital. They get to do crafts. They get to spend time with their families. It’s such an amazing thing. If anyone saw it, they would want to be a part of it. Obviously music is a gift that I can give to them, and music is healing. If I can give that, I’m going to, and I think everybody else should.”
Megan Moroney was emotional visiting St. Jude, and seeing the bravery and joy among the children, even as they face serious health issues.
“I think I spent an hour and a half trying not to cry just because I think St. Jude is so special,” she says. “And the way that they prioritize the children and their families and everything is thought out. It’s so intentional, and I was just telling everyone today, I wish every children’s hospital could be like this.”
Singer-songwriter Rayn Larkins visited St. Jude to offer his help and support, but walked away receiving far more than he could have ever given.
“They’re so full of joy, really,” he says. “And so just to see them go through what they’re going through and just face it with that joy and that hope—it’s really a special thing. I want to tell everybody about St. Jude. This is such a special place you walk in; it doesn’t feel like a hospital. You walk in, and it’s just such a fun environment, and they’ve done such a great job just creating that.”
It was an encounter with the St. Jude Children’s Hospital founder, Danny Thomas, that forever altered Owen’s future, with his biggest goal to help support the cause of St. Jude. The Country Cares initiative was born from Owen’s determination to motivate as many people as possible to raise money for the worthwhile cause.
“I was driven,” the Alabama frontman shared with Everything Nash and other outlets while at St. Jude. “I was inspired by Danny Thomas. When I met Danny in Atlanta, Georgia, he expressed to me that he would love to see the country music industry, and as he said, ‘your people,’ get involved in helping raise money for the kids at St. Jude. And so I felt something in my heart. It wasn’t something that passes by and goes away.”
Old Dominion was this year’s recipient of the Angels Among Us Award, given to an artist or band who has used their platform to advocate for St. Jude.
“It’s truly humbling to be awarded the Angels Among Us honor by St. Jude,” Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey says. “The patients and families of St. Jude inspire us deeply. By uniting with fellow artists and Country radio fans, we want to help make sure that no family receives a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food so they can focus on helping their child live. Supporting such a remarkable mission is a privilege, and we are thankful to be part of it.”
For more information, or to donate to support the work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,visit MusicGives.org.
All photos courtesy of St. Jude