Country Artists React to Being at St. Jude Country Cares Seminar 2022

This year's Country Cares Seminar for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital took place this past weekend in Memphis, Tennessee. Some of country music's brightest rising stars showed up to share their support for the cause that believes "No child should die in the dawn of life." Randy Owen, lead singer of the country band Alabama and founder of Country Cares, also showed up to the event, which took place in person for the first time since January 2020.

Randy Owen (creator of Country Cares)

"I'm just thankful that there's so many people involved. Some of the same people that started back in '89 and '90 are still with us, and some of the children that I first met now have families of their own. That's what it's all about, saving lives. All children are beautiful and they deserve the greatest medical care that they can get, and that's what St. Jude's all about."

Kameron Marlowe

"I thought I had known a lot about St. Jude but I feel like I didn't know anywhere to the extent of how impactful it is on these families. It was one of the most special things that I've ever seen and one of the most inspiring situations I've ever been in. To go and see some of the doctors who are just so inspiring to talk to, it's truly an amazing experience."

Hannah Ellis

"I actually had a cousin who had Leukemia when he was five and he's my age now, so he beat it and he's thriving and living his best life and so I know what it's like to have your entire family go, 'Okay, everything stops. We have to focus on this.' But then to be on the other side of it is so rewarding and the fact that St. Jude is giving that to families every day is so incredible and so inspiring."

BRELAND

"I've been waiting for Country Cares since I got into the game and first became aware of it. What they do here at Country Cares and what they do at St. Jude is so impactful. Just looking at some of the stats alone of how many advancements have been pioneered out of this specific location and all of the amazing staff and doctors that they have here, it was pretty staggering but also really inspirational to hear about the resilience that these families have when they're going through treatment."

Restless Road

"It honestly means the world that we were invited here and got to experience it because I mean, you see how big of an impact - growing up, you see the commercials, when you go to check out you see the place to donate but it really puts things into perspective how important this is and how important it is for everybody to get behind this and try to donate. It's been unbelievable to be able to hear the stories of the people and see how a lot of those people have come back and now work at St. Jude. It goes to show the family and the culture that they've built here."

Mackenzie Carpenter

"Being at St. Jude this weekend has been such a perspective builder and I'm thankful to be a part of it. They let you see so much behind the curtain of what you're helping and we're just the smallest part of it by singing for a show or posting on socials for people to give. And it's such a community; it's truly a family. The people that are patients here are patients for life. They can always come back."

George Birge

"To see people dig in like that and use their platform for change and good and then come here and see how much good they're actually doing, it inspires me to go pay it forward. [It's] a really, really special place."

MaRynn Taylor

"It's just really amazing to see. I didn't know what to expect but it definitely exceeded my expectations. I knew I'd be inspired but now I'm inspired times 10. Just to see and feel everything and be in the presence of it is really special. I feel lucky that I get to be here."

Jade Eagleson

"I grew up in Canada, and even there you hear about St. Jude. So, getting to be here and actually experience it firsthand - what they're doing here, how hard everyone works, and how passionate they are - has been really incredible."

To learn more about St. Jude and to get involved, please visit http://musicgives.org.

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