Highlights From the 2016 Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radio Seminar

Radio programmers, on air personalities and other members of the media from around the country congregated in Memphis, Tenn., last weekend for the 2016 Country Cares for St. Jude radio seminar. It's an annual event to show radio stations the latest research, technology and information that can be used during each annual radiothon to help raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The Country Cares radiothon for St. Jude will be held Kicker 102. 5 March 3 and 4.

During the seminar, we learned that the cost of running the hospital has exceeded more than $2 million per day, with 75 percent of that money coming from the donations that you make during our radiothons nationwide. There are many ways in which your money is used, whether it be for advanced research to help find cures for children, to help pay a family's medical cost, medications, or something just as simple as throwing a teenager a prom. Your money gives hope to children with cancer every day.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has been actively involved in radio event fundraising for over 25 years. In fact, more than 300 radio stations across the country have helped raise more than $600 million for the lifesaving work of St. Jude, and the St. Jude family of partner stations continues to expand.

Hearing stories from children and adults who had childhood cancer but are still living today thanks to St. Jude is very inspiring. Not all stories had a happy ending but the ones that did really brought it home and touched the hearts of the hundreds of attendees who were there. It really gives you an appreciation for life and appreciation for your own family.

During the radio seminar, several country artists who support St. Jude's came in to tour the hospital and visit with the children. The artists also autograph personal items that can be used to help raise money in our radiothons. Randy Owen from the group Alabama heads up the Country Cares for St. Jude radiothons and is the featured entertainer on the Songwriter Showcase. Along with Owen, Dan + Shay, Mac McAnallly, and Chris Young performed and shared some stories.

Each year St Jude brings in a surprise guest speaker and this year it was one of the stars of ABC's hit television show Nashville. Clare Bowen plays Scarlett O'Connor on the show. Bowen was down to earth, humble, witty and charming and beautiful. I have to admit, it kind of throws you for a loop when she is not using her southern accent but instead speaks in her native Australian accent. Bowen told her story about having a rare form of cancer as a 4-year old child. In short, she shouldn't be here today.

She also told the audience the reason why she cut her hair, and what visiting the children at St. Jude means to her personally. She added that her brother now has cancer and she is helping him through this difficult time in his life. Bowen now resides in Nashville and is planning on getting married to a singer-songwriter and will be releasing her first single and solo album later this year.

Here's what Bowen had to say when asked why listeners should donate to St. Jude.

Check out these photos from the 2016 St. Jude Radio Seminar.