It’s not a sprint — these tech leaders are in it for the long haul during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, the Relay FM podcast network is rallying listeners and fans in an 8-hour live podcastathon to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. Relay FM founder and St. Jude patient father Stephen Hackett and business partner Myke Hurley will host their annual Relay FM for St. Jude Podcastathon from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. CT, Sept. 16 on Twitch, live from the St. Jude campus in Memphis.
St. Jude officially became part of Hackett’s life when his six-month-old son Josiah was diagnosed in 2009 with astrocytoma, a type of brain cancer.
“St. Jude is based in our hometown of Memphis, but it wasn’t until Josiah’s diagnosis that I gained a full appreciation of the work done by the hospital,” said Hackett. “Its research and treatment saved our son's life, and the lives of countless other kids around the world. Getting to help tell that story each September is something that I simply love doing. Myke and I are honored to be celebrating our fourth year of the podcastathon and thank the community of listeners whose donations make it all possible.”
Hackett and Hurley have many tricks up their sleeves to reach their goal as they serve as the ringmasters of this year’s podcastathon. From daring to play a game of tasty-or-trash jellybean flavors to breaking out of a virtual escape room and diving into a tent of balloons, Hackett and Hurley’s escapades are designed to entertain and inspire audiences.
Fans and supporters can tune in to the extended eight hours of streaming on Twitch to follow along and hear St. Jude patient stories illustrating the importance of this fundraising effort and why Relay FM supports St. Jude year after year.
Since the Relay FM for St. Jude campaign began in 2019, it has raised more than $1.5 million of its current lifetime $2 million goal. This year, with the help of supporters around the world, that goal is within reach.
Donations from Relay FM listeners help advance the St. Jude six-year $12.9 billion strategic plan that increases global investments to help more of the 400,000 children worldwide with cancer. Because of generous donations through events like this, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food so they can focus on helping their child live.
Supporters are encouraged to watch the fun unfold and follow Relay FM’s fundraising journey for St. Jude.
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.