It's a good thing St. Jude is such a happy place, because it made it easier for Stephanie Quayle to heal her pride after spending time with the kids.

To put it mildly, the "If I Was a Cowboy" signer got her butt kicked playing games with patients Mayberry and Bridgette before Hunter Hayes stepped in to save her.

"I realized I need to work on my hot potato skills," she says, smiling.

You see a lot of smiles at St. Jude, which is something Quayle admits she did not expect: "The strength and courage that they have with so much going on, we really have no reason to ever have a bad day."

Doctors and scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have made tremendous strides in defeating childhood cancer and many other life-threatening diseases. Cure rates for the six most common forms have gone from 20 percent to 80 percent as Country Cares — the country music community's longstanding effort to fundraise for St. Jude — celebrates its 30th year. Quayle is more impressed with the mental side.

"There's so much love in these hallways, you can feel it," she says. "It does not feel like a hospital. You feel like you're going to have the best day of your life."

Quayle was part of a large group of artists who visited St. Jude in January for Country Cares weekend in January. In 2019 the initiative celebrates 30 years, with more than $800 million raised and significant advances made in medicine, treatment and cure rates. More than 200 radio stations nationwide take part in radiothons and other events to support the hospital and kids who need it.

From Feb. 7-8, Taste of Country will assist more than a dozen country radio stations in raising money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital with a webathon/radiothon. Nearly $7 million has been raised during the previous five joint efforts, with much more raised from other TSM stations later in the year. If you'd like to donate, check here for various options.

Country Artists at St. Jude Through the Years

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