Sheryl Crow the Newest St Jude Children's Hospital Ambassador

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, July 28, 2011

Grammy Award-winning artist Sheryl Crow was named Thursday as ambassador to the world renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Crow has signed on to the new campaign called “Music Gives to St. Jude Kids”, which utilizes artists, fans, record companies, and sponsors to raise money for the life-saving work completed at St. Jude’s.

“Music Gives to St. Jude Kids” joins artists and fans in getting involved and supporting St. Jude through many different outlets, such as concert endorsements, text-to-donate messages, social media, and many other fundraising opportunities.

Crow is a mother of two and survived her own battle with cancer in 2006. The singer and songwriter was compelled to help the research hospital, and said in a public statement, “A cancer diagnosis is a complete and total showstopper that leaves a family feeling completely helpless.”

“By uniting the music industry through Music Gives, we are going to help give these families hope by raising funds for St. Jude, a place that is on the cutting edge of cancer research and always looking for a cure.”

Ticketmaster and Live Nation are showcasing Music Gives to St. Jude Kids by providing fans with the option to select an add-on contribution to St. Jude while they purchase tickets to events July 26-August 22.

Ticket buyers selecting the add-on donation on Ticketmaster.com or on livenation.com will have 100 percent of the donation go to St. Jude’s.

Along with Sheryl Crow, musical groups Kings of Leon and Stone Temple Pilots have joined Music Gives, and the program plans to announce additional artists in the near future.

St. Jude is one of the world’s leading centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other deadly childhood diseases. The hospital has raised money for research with help from the music industry since its beginning in 1962 with support from artists like Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.

Sheryl Crow was seen this week further demonstrating her humanitarian side. US Weekly magazine reported Crow volunteering at a park in Salt Lake City, Utah planting trees in support of Tom’s of Maine, a natural-ingredients-only product manufacturer.

Also, on Wednesday, Collector-car auction house Gooding & Co. announced the sale of a 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster that is owned by Crow. The proceeds of the car’s sale in Pebble Beach, CA next month will go to Joplin, MO, where damages from the tornado that struck in May are still extensive.

“After the tornado in Joplin I was moved to help rebuild a city so close to where I grew up in Missouri,” said Crow. “My hope is that the auction of my (car) will bring in funds to help rebuild schools in the area.”

The car is estimated to sell for between $50,000 and $80,000 on August 21.