The Bobby Bones Show’s 2023 St. Jude Radiothon kicked off today (December 7) with several performances. Along with the incredible performances, we heard St. Jude patient and family stories about the wonderful things St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does for those who have to be there.
Former St. Jude patient Addie Pratt stopped by to talk about her journey with cancer and the strength she has embodied ever since.
In February of 2016, Pratt was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia while she was a freshman in high school. She spent six months in treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Looking back, St. Jude has become such a positive place for her, and she appreciates it, calling it the best place she could've been for the worst scenario. During her time there, St. Jude covered the cost of everything, which was a huge blessing because her mother had to take off work the entire time she was there. They were grateful that because of St. Jude, they did not have to worry about the financial side of things and her mother could be there as her caretaker.
While at St. Jude, Pratt was known for being a singer and songwriter. She would use music as an outlet to get her mind off of things. She would bring her guitar in to play for people in the clinic and try to bring a smile to their face. She was also able to stay in school the entire time and keep on track with her work. Pratt recently graduated from Ole Miss and is living in Nashville working for St. Jude and plans to play her music forever! To keep up with Pratt's journey, follow her on Instagram @Addieprattmusic.
Pratt attended the third annual St. Jude Presents: Curated, a live auction fundraiser at Charles Kelley’s of Lady A, home. She performed there and caught the attention of producer, Nathan Chapman. He offered to produce a song for her if 15 guests would donate $2,500 each to St. Jude. The donations poured in, and Kelley, Chapman and Pratt got to work on her single.
Together, they wrote her song, “The Woman I Am,” inspired from her experience with St. Jude and how life’s trials have made her the person she is today. She calls the songs one of the things she is truly the proudest of.
The Radiothon is an effort to raise money and gain Partners In Hope for St. Jude to continue raising money for kids with cancer. The hospital does more than just help kids, they also work on research. Research that is used to help find the cure for cancer, and not only that, the hospital shares their research with all other hospitals and facilities at no cost. You can become a Partner in Hope by texting BOBBY to 785833 or visit Stjude.org/bobbybones.
Addie Pratt performed her original song “The Woman I Am.” Watch her full performance above!