FOX Sports & St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Team Up For 2010 NFL Season

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- America's #1 sports network and top children's cancer hospital are tackling childhood cancer together this NFL season. This Fall, FOX Sports has teamed with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to help kids who are sidelined by cancer and other deadly diseases. FOX Sports Supports, the network's charitable initiative now in its third year, is a unique program that raises awareness, provides financial assistance and spurs volunteerism for health charities selected by FOX Sports employees.

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"We are honored to partner with a tremendous organization like St. Jude for the 2010 NFL on FOX season," said Bill Wanger, Executive Vice President, FOX Sports.  "Using our unmatched on-air talent, brand and reach, our goal is to raise awareness for St. Jude so they can continue to fight for all the courageous children and families affected by this terrible disease."

Earlier this month, NFL on FOX on-air personalities Troy Aikman, Terry Bradshaw, Joe Buck, Jay Glazer, Jimmy Johnson, Howie Long, Curt Menefee, Pam Oliver and Michael Strahan visited St. Jude. The group learned first-hand about the hospital's ground-breaking research, innovative treatments and first-class patient care, and filmed a series of public service announcements that will air throughout the entire football season including Super Bowl Sunday. In addition, FOX Sports will support St. Jude through numerous on-air mentions all season long and will also be involved in St. Jude events and activities.

"I played a long time in the NFL and have played with and seen a lot of tough and courageous individuals, but nobody can match the courage and determination of these wonderful children at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital," said FOX NFL SUNDAY analyst Terry Bradshaw.

"I was awed by their spirit, attitude and determination and everyone at FOX Sports will do whatever it takes this season and beyond to help them conquer their battle against cancer."

While at St. Jude the FOX team also met with patients in the fight of their lives against cancer and other deadly diseases. One patient they all could easily relate to was Shon, a 17-year-old high school football player from Mississippi.  One of the state's top high school players in 2009, Shon was recruited to play offensive tackle for Auburn University.  Shon is currently being treated for ALL, the most common form of childhood cancer, and he's unfortunately had to put his college football dreams on hold while he battles his disease.

"Cancer is like my opponent," said Shon, who started playing football at age 5. "Right now, the doctors are like my coaches.  They give me a game plan so that when my treatment is over, I'll have beaten cancer. The most important thing in my life right now is to get cancer out of the way so I can play football again."

St. Jude treats patients, like Shon, from around the world, and no child is ever turned away because of a family's inability to pay for treatment. The hospital largely relies on public donations to help keep that promise.

"We are so honored to have been selected by FOX Sports employees as their partner during this NFL season," said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. "We've been finding cures and saving kids for nearly 50 years and this opportunity helps us recruit millions of football fans to join our team in the fight against deadly diseases like cancer."

Football fans also can help settle the score against childhood cancer this season by visiting www.stjude.org/foxsports. It features exclusive behind the scenes footage from the talent's visit to St. Jude, patient stories, photos and ways for the public to support the Hospital's mission.

About FOX Sports

FOX Sports is the flagship network of the FOX Sports Media Group. As America's top-rated network for sports for 13 straight years (1997-2009), FOX Sports boasts rights agreements with each of the nation's highest-rated sports. FOX Sports is the exclusive national over-the-air television rights holder for Major League Baseball, including the All-Star Game, alternating League Championship Series and World Series (2007-2013); the National Football League's NFC package, including the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowls XLV and XLVIII (2006-2013); NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from February through May, including the Daytona 500 (2007-2014); the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic and the UEFA Champions League Final. Since its inception in 1994, FOX Sports has earned 82 Emmy Awards for production excellence. David Hill and Ed Goren are the Executive Producers of FOX Sports.  For the latest sports news, opinion and video, log on to www.FOXSports.com. Fans can gain more access to exclusive content by following FOX Sports on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MLBONFOX, http://twitter.com/NFLONFOX and http://twitter.com/NASCARONFOX and by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports and www.myspace.com/foxsports.

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. In 2010, St. Jude was ranked the most trusted charity in the nation in a public survey conducted by Harris Interactive, a highly respected international polling and research firm. St. Jude was also named the nation's top children's cancer hospital in the 2010-11 Best Children's Hospitals rankings published by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, go to www.stjude.org and follow St. Jude on www.facebook.com/stjude and www.twitter.com/stjude.

SOURCE St. Jude Children's Research Hospital