Several gospel and R&B artists are lending their voices for a livestream on World Sickle Cell Day to raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. Inspired: Together #forStJude will take place from 6-8 p.m. ET, on Thursday, June 18, on St. Jude social media channels, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Hosts Willie Moore, Jr. and Krystal Lee will welcome artists Erica Campbell, Marsha Ambrosius, MAJOR., Anthony Brown, Jonathan McReynolds, comedians George Willborn, Griff and many more for an inspirational celebration filled with music, comedy and conversations that will spotlight stories of triumph over sickle cell disease. The two-hour virtual event is free and open to the general public although donations are encouraged.
For nearly 60 years, St. Jude has been committed to understanding and treating sickle cell disease, which is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States, affecting about 100,000 Americans. It can occur in all races but is most common in African-Americans and Hispanics. About one out of 365 African-American babies born in the US has sickle cell disease. Today St. Jude has one of the largest sickle cell disease programs in the country, treating 850-900 patients annually.
In the 1980s, St. Jude made a significant discovery when it became the first institution to cure sickle cell disease with a bone marrow transplant on 8-year-old patient Kimberlin. She was already managing sickle cell disease when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). After receiving a bone marrow transplant to cure the AML, doctors discovered that the transplant cured her sickle cell disease as well.
"Being able to support the treatment and research of sickle cell disease is one of our proudest ongoing accomplishments which includes bringing awareness to and advancing cures for this terrible disease that has taken too many young lives and causes great suffering to hundreds of thousands,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President & CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Since we opened our doors in 1962, sickle cell disease has been a critical focus of our work and our commitment has only accelerated as we've grown in the last five decades. Innovative events like this World Sickle Cell Day livestream help us continue to shine a spotlight on this disease, its crushing effects, and the progress we continue to make until children are no longer in its grip."
Events like this help ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Visit stjude.org/inspiredtogether for more information.
About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since the hospital opened in 1962. St. Jude won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.
Media Contacts:
Kurt Rossler
ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Kurt.Rossler@stjude.org
(901) 578-6752