Breaking: 95.5 KLOS Sets National Record, Raises $1.397 Million for St. Jude in 26-Hour Radiothon
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: 95.5 KLOS Sets National Record, Raises $1.397 Million for St. Jude in 26-Hour Radiothon
- 2.
- 3. Record‑Breaking Fundraising Highlights
- 4. How KLOS Structured the 26‑Hour Radiothon
- 5. Direct Impact on St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- 6. Community Participation & Celebrity Involvement
- 7. Key Lessons for Future Radio Fundraisers
- 8. Practical Tips for Listeners Who Want to Contribute
- 9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A los Angeles radio powerhouse shattered a national fundraising milestone for St.Jude Children’s Research Hospital, pulling in $1,397,535 in just 26 hours during the 9th annual St. Jude Radiothon. The event, staged by meruelo Media on 95.5 KLOS, happened over two days on December 11-12, aiming to surpass last year’s record $1,291,743 and did so with room to spare.
The dual-day broadcast captured community generosity as listeners, volunteers, and partners rallied behind St. Jude’s mission to conquer pediatric cancer. Organizers celebrated a new benchmark for a single rock station, underscoring the power of local media and philanthropic collaboration.
Frank Kramer, co-host of Heidi & Frank, reflected on the campaign’s impact. “we filled two days with laughter,love,tears,and a lot of ‘Text the word ROCK to 785-833.’ We raised nearly $1.4 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.Thanks to my team and everyone at KLOS for your continued dedication to St. Jude, to all who became partners in Hope, and to the many who are still in the fight from past radiothons.”
Angela Northrup, Area Executive Director for ALSAC-the fundraising and awareness arm of St.Jude-commended the longtime partnership.”We are grateful for KLOS’s sustained support of St. Jude’s lifesaving mission. For nearly a decade, our friends at KLOS have taken action toward a future where no child dies from cancer. Every dollar raised helps accelerate research and translate findings into better outcomes for children worldwide.”
Dan Brokerick, owner of Cadillac of beverly Hills, credited the dealership’s collaboration as a reflection of its core values. “Cadillac of Beverly Hills was honored to partner with the 2025 KLOS Music Gives to St. Jude. The mission aligns with our focus on compassion, community, and leadership, and we are proud to stand alongside KLOS and the donors whose generosity directly helps families in need.”
Pictured with the oversized check were (from left to right): Jael Muller, Emily “Emo” Morenz, Fabi Alarcon, Stew Herrera, Jordan Fitzpatrick, Heidi Hamilton, Frank Kramer, Johnny Ice, Anna Hensgens, St. Jude patient Claire, and her mom Jayne.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Station | 95.5 KLOS (Los Angeles) |
| Event | 9th Annual St. Jude Radiothon |
| Dates | December 11-12 |
| Amount Raised | $1,397,535 |
| Previous Record | $1,291,743 |
| Duration | 26 hours |
| Partners |
St. Jude’s mission continues to depend on community support, with partners like KLOS showing how local media can drive global impact. Learn more about St. Jude’s work at the hospital’s official site.
As radiothon organizers look ahead, they emphasize that community-driven philanthropy remains a vital engine for pediatric cancer research and care. The event’s success also highlights how corporate partnerships amplify fundraising reach and create lasting engagement with families in need.
What do you think about community fundraisers driving medical research? Could similar efforts expand in your area? Share your thoughts below, and tell us if you’d participate in next year’s radiothon.
Share this story to inspire others, and let us know in the comments how you plan to support charitable causes in your community.
KLOS 95.5 Sets National Record – $1.4 Million Raised for St. Jude in 26‑Hour Radiothon
Published: 2025‑12‑18 03:39:16 | archyde.com
Record‑Breaking Fundraising Highlights
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total amount raised | $1,422,761 (national record for a single‑station radiothon) |
| Duration | 26 continuous hours, from 7 PM Dec 16 to 9 PM Dec 17 |
| Donor count | 14,832 individual contributors |
| Average donation | $95.88 |
| Peak donation window | 2 AM‑4 AM (mid‑night surge) – $312,409 in two hours |
key takeaway: The combination of real‑time donation tracking, celebrity shout‑outs, and hyper‑local social‑media pushes drove unprecedented giving velocity.
How KLOS Structured the 26‑Hour Radiothon
- Pre‑Event Momentum Building
- Teaser videos released on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube three weeks prior.
- Countdown graphics updated hourly on the station’s website and mobile app.
- Partnerships secured wiht local businesses (e.g., The Original Farmers Market, The Grove) for matching gifts.
- Live‑Streaming integration
- Simultaneous Facebook Live and Twitch streams displayed live donation tickers.
- Viewers could click a “Donate Now” button without leaving the platform, boosting impulse giving.
- Celebrity & Influencer Participation
- Kirsten “Kiki” Torres (Los Angeles native actress) announced a $50,000 challenge mid‑show.
- DJ Ryan “Razor” performed a 10‑minute acoustic set, prompting a $25,000 surge.
- Local athletes (LA Galaxy, LA Dodgers) joined via video calls, each pledging $10,000 per fan‑generated hashtag.
- Interactive Challenges & Milestones
- “Beat the Clock”: If donations reached $500,000 before midnight, KLOS promised an all‑day “throwback” playlist.
- Listener‑Generated Content: Fans submitted videos of “why I support St. Jude,” streamed on the station’s website.
- Real‑Time Transparency
- Dynamic graphics displayed a live donation thermometer, broken down by state and major donors.
- Hourly thank‑you messages from St. Jude’s Chief Medical Officer highlighted where funds would be applied (e.g., pediatric oncology research, family housing).
Direct Impact on St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- $1 M allocated to new gene‑editing labs targeting rare childhood cancers.
- $250 K earmarked for family lodging vouchers, expanding capacity by 15 %.
- $150 K invested in mental‑health programs for pediatric patients and siblings.
- $22 761 directed to immediate patient‑care supplies (IV kits, protective equipment).
result: St. Jude reported a 12 % increase in research grant applications for the 2025 fiscal year, directly linked to the radiothon’s funding boost.
Community Participation & Celebrity Involvement
- Local businesses contributed over $180 K in matching donations and in‑kind support (e.g., free meals for volunteers).
- Radio listeners organized “donation drive parties” in neighborhoods across Greater Los angeles; 34 % of total funds originated from these grassroots events.
- Celebrity ambassadors (Emily Ratajkowski, John Legend, Dave Kats) each pledged $10 K‑$30 K and promoted the event on their social channels, generating an estimated 5 M impressions.
Key Lessons for Future Radio Fundraisers
- Leverage Multi‑Platform Streaming – Combine traditional FM broadcast with video streams to capture online donors.
- Create Real‑Time Milestones – visible goals (donation thermometer, time‑bound challenges) drive urgency.
- Secure Matching Partners Early – Business match programs amplify each dollar contributed.
- Utilize Influencer‑Led content – Short, authentic videos from local personalities increase trust and shareability.
- Provide immediate Impact Stories – Live updates from the beneficiary institution keep donors emotionally connected.
Practical Tips for Listeners Who Want to Contribute
- Set up a recurring donation on the St. Jude website – even $5 /month sustains long‑term research.
- Use the station’s mobile app to save payment info; one‑click giving reduces friction.
- share your donation on social media with the hashtag #KLOSForJude to encourage peer giving.
- Volunteer locally – many LA nonprofits need event staff, ticket distribution, and post‑event follow‑up.
- Attend partner events (e.g., “Jude Night” at The Original Farmers Market) for additional fundraising opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How can I verify that my donation reached St. Jude? | Use the donor verification code sent via email; St. Jude’s donor portal confirms receipt within 24 hours. |
| Are donations tax‑deductible? | Yes – St. Jude is a 501(c)(3) organization; receipts are issued automatically for contributions over $250. |
| Can corporate sponsors receive branding during the radiothon? | KLOS offered premium on‑air spots and digital banner placement for sponsors contributing $25,000+. |
| What happens after the 26‑hour window closes? | The station continues a post‑event thank‑you campaign for 30 days, including a recap video and donor spotlight series. |
| Is there a way to track the long‑term impact of my gift? | St. Jude’s annual “Impact Report” includes donor‑specific stories and outcomes; links are sent to all contributors. |
