Radio One and Affiliate Stations Raise More than $1 Million for Kids Fighting Cancer, Sickle Cell and Other Deadly Diseases

News provided by

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Apr 16, 2012, 11:09 ET

GRAMMY®-award winning artist Yolanda Adams and CoCo Brother show support of fifth annual Radio Cares for St. Jude Kids national event

MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Radio One syndicated shows and inspiration stations raised more than $1 million through the fifth annual Radio Cares for St. Jude Kids national event to help St. Jude Children's Research Hospital provide the best care to the world's sickest children at no cost to their families.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120416/DC87977)

The all-day radio event on April 5 began at 6 a.m. with the Yolanda Adams Morning Show and ended at 11 p.m. with the CoCo Brother Live show and other syndicated inspiration shows and stations in 11 participating markets across the country, all asking listeners to donate to St. Jude.

The Radio Cares national event highlights St. Jude patient testimonials and exciting radio promotions. Since 2008, the Radio Cares for St. Jude Kids program has raised more than $14 million in cash and pledges through the support of nearly 60 Radio Cares partner stations, including Radio One affiliates, to help tens of thousands of children like eight-year-old Emmanuel, who was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, an aggressive eye tumor. Today, Emmanuel and children like him live happy, healthy lives because they are receiving the best medical care and their families will never have to pay St. Jude for anything. Emmanuel and his family shared their moving story live with listeners in Houston and reminded them of why their donations are important. It costs $1.7 million to operate the hospital each day and more than 75 percent of that funding is from the generosity of individual donors.

In Atlanta, syndicated radio host CoCo Brother generated a record-breaking $250,000 during his four-hour show.

"Our listeners continue to show their support for St. Jude in a big way, year after year," said Yolanda Adams of the Yolanda Adams Morning Show. "They really demonstrate through the spirit of giving how their hearts are touched by these beautiful patients and their personal stories."

This year's event also welcomed the support of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), composed of African-American international Greek letter sororities and fraternities, who launched a Call to Service for St. Jude campaign in March as a lead into the annual radio event. Members of the organizations also volunteered at Radio One stations to answer phones and take pledges during the national Radio Cares for St. Jude Kids event.

"It is because of the support of organizations like Radio One, and the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and people like Yolanda Adams and CoCo Brother that St. Jude continues to treat the world's sickest children with the best care, all while ensuring that no family ever pays St. Jude for anything," said Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "We appreciate their commitment to the St. Jude mission of finding cures and saving children as well as the generosity of all the listeners who have joined the fight against childhood cancer and other deadly diseases."

Several celebrities around the country volunteered during the national radio event by answering phones and speaking with radio personalities about St. Jude. Participating celebrities included R&B singer/songwriter Musiq Soulchild, award-winning gospel music artist James Fortune and gospel music artist Dorothy Norwood.

At the conclusion of the morning shows, the 11 participating affiliate markets continued the radio event into the evening through the commitment of local on-air personalities. Participating stations were located in Houston, Texas; Atlanta, Ga.; Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C.; Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio; Richmond, Va.; Detroit, Mich.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Indianapolis, Ind. and Washington, D.C. Donations can still be made towards the Radio Cares for St. Jude Kids event by calling 1-800-411-9898.

When St. Jude opened its doors 50 years ago, it was the first fully integrated children's hospital in the South. African-American and white patients were treated in the same rooms; they dined together; and bathroom facilities were integrated. St. Jude was the first to develop a cure for sickle cell disease with a bone marrow transplant and has one of the largest pediatric sickle cell programs in the country, treating about 800 children a year. In addition, St. Jude shares these discoveries with doctors everywhere.

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital:

Since opening 50 years ago, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has changed the way the world treats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. No family ever pays St. Jude for the care their child receives and, for every child treated here, thousands more have been saved worldwide through St. Jude discoveries. The hospital has played a pivotal role in pushing U.S. pediatric cancer survival rates from 20 to 80 percent overall, and is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. It is also a leader in the research and treatment of blood disorders and infectious diseases in children. St. Jude was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, who believed that no child should die in the dawn of life. Join that mission by visiting stjude.org or following us on facebook.com/stjude and twitter.com/stjude.

About Radio One:

Radio One, Inc. (www.radio-one.com) is a diversified media company that primarily targets African-American and urban consumers. The Company is one of the nation's largest radio broadcasting companies, currently owning or operating 54 broadcast stations located in 16 urban markets in the United States. As a part of its core broadcasting business, Radio One operates syndicated programming including the Russ Parr Morning Show, the Yolanda Adams Morning Show, the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, CoCo Brother Live, CoCo Brother's "Spirit" program, Bishop T.D. Jakes' "Empowering Moments", the Reverend Al Sharpton Show, and the Warren Ballentine Show. The Company also owns a controlling interest in Reach Media, Inc. (http://www.blackamericaweb.com/), owner of the Tom Joyner Morning Show and other businesses associated with Tom Joyner. Beyond its core radio broadcasting business, Radio One owns Interactive One (http://www.interactiveone.com/), an online platform serving the African-American community through social content, news, information, and entertainment, which operates a number of branded sites, including News One, UrbanDaily, HelloBeautiful, Community Connect Inc. (http://www.communityconnect.com/), an online social networking company, which operates a number of branded websites, including BlackPlanet, MiGente, and Asian Avenue. In addition, the Company owns a controlling interest in TV One, LLC (http://www.tvoneonline.com/), a cable/satellite network programming primarily to African-Americans.

About the National Pan-Hellenic Council:

The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated (NPHC) is a strategic alliance currently composed of Historically African-American international Greek letter Sororities and Fraternities. Participating organizations include: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. NPHC promotes interaction through forums, meetings and other mediums for the exchange of information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions. Our common interest is service to our communities and to all mankind.

SOURCE St. Jude Children's Research Hospital