Lifetime Achievement

Dave was promoted to director of regional development in 1989, the first year the organization held a national radiothon. Broadcast from the lobby of the hospital, the event was a failure. But Dave persisted. He arranged for St. Jude founder Danny Thomas to ask country music star Randy Owen to get involved and endorse the idea with country music stations and entertainers. That resulted in the development of Country Cares for St. Jude Kids, one of the most successful radio fundraising events in America. Since 1989, the program has raised more than 
$395 million in pledges.