Sioux Falls Native Interning with St. Jude

It's always encouraging seeing good people doing good things.

I saw my friend Maria recently post about being part of This Shirt Saves Lives.

From the St. Jude Children's Hospital website:

To date, the campaign hashtag #ThisShirtSavesLives has reached more than 140 million people and generated more than 11,000 posts and comments — and will continue through 2018.

Over 100 radio stations across the country and more than 80 of country music's most celebrated stars have lent their voices to the THIS SHIRT SAVES LIVES campaign to encourage support for St. Jude. Artists like Brett Eldredge, Darius Rucker, Jake Owen, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett and more are supporting the campaign by wearing THIS SHIRT on social media.

You can read the entire story here.

I asked Maria about her move to Nashville and about being an intern at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

When did you move to Nashville?

 I moved to Nashville in May of 2017 when I was 20 years old.

What made you make the move?

I moved for an internship at Black River Entertainment working for artists like Kelsea Ballerina, but I stayed to pursue songwriting, gain music industry experience and finish my college degree.

How did you get involved with This Shirt Saves Lives?

I started interning with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in September! I have always loved St. Jude’s mission. I don’t think people should have to worry about money while their child fights cancer and St. Jude takes that financial burden off of the family. 

What has the experience been like?

Interning with St. Jude and working on this campaign has completely changed my life. It put everything into perspective. I went from being concerned about every little thing and obsessing over the future to living each day. Getting to hear the stories of the patients and their families has made me even more passionate about kids. Kids should be outside playing and going to school, not sick in a hospital! 

What would else would you like people to know about This Shirt Saves Lives or St Jude? 

I think the main thing I want people to know is that their money really can save a life. St. Jude families and patients never receive a bill. I am a college kid and $20 seems like a lot. But it’s giving up 4 Starbucks coffee’s a month or not buying that pair of shoes at Target that you really don’t need so that a child can keep fighting cancer. If we all did our part, I think we could really change the world.

Sources: St. Jude Children's Hospital