Country Cares About The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

I remember calling my boyfriend in tears after touring the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. St Jude’s is a place you know about, but walking through those halls and seeing those kids first hand is a different experience. I remember feeling helpless.

When my 4 day trip to the hospital ended my initial feelings changed. I learned country music radio has raised more than $400 million dollars for the kids at St. Jude. And after spending a long weekend there I realized we are making a difference.

Still I thought: what more could I do? I was so moved by the work done at the hospital that I wanted to do more. Some friends and I decided to raise funds by running the St. Jude Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville – and that is where I’m headed today!

I’m not a runner but I figured if these kids can fight for their lives every day at the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, I can run a 13.1 mile race. I know I’ll be walking most of the way, but I’m thrilled to be surrounded by 30,000 people who care about ending childhood cancer – that’s the goal!

What makes me most proud though is knowing country music has supported the St. Jude Children’s for more than 20 years. I talk a lot about country crossing into different genres of music and fashion but country music helping end childhood cancer is the best crossover I could write about. One thing I took from that visit to St. Jude, and I’ll undoubtedly take from this weekend, is a humbled feeling.

#charity