Country Cares for St. Jude Kids has officially crested $1 billion in fundraising for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Launched at Country Radio Seminar in 1989 with a call to action from Alabama's Randy Owen, Country Cares was hailed for topping the milestone Tuesday evening (10/22) by ALSAC CEO Richard Shadyac, Jr. during the 35th anniversary of the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids seminar in Memphis. During the speech that launched the program, Owen said, "Because of our visibility, we have an opportunity to do a tremendous amount of good for organizations like St. Jude that really help. For me, it’s more than an opportunity – it’s an obligation." That mission has now reached historic heights. "That is your impact, folks," Shadyac said this evening. "This program saves lives."