The holidays are for making wishes come true, and thanks to two country superstars - Brett Eldredge and Thomas Rhett - a 14-year-old Tennessee girl received the gift of her dreams during the making of "CMA Country Christmas."
Hosted for the sixth time by Jennifer Nettles, "CMA Country Christmas" airs Thursday, December 3 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the
ABC Television Network.
"CMA Country Christmas" provides a platform to shine a national spotlight on the ground-breaking work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and its lifesaving mission of finding cures and saving children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Kinsee, who has been a patient at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital since she was eight years old, was treated to a surprise private performance of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" by Eldredge and Thomas Rhett, which was taped for the two-hour special.
"Our industry, artists, and country radio have a strong connection to St. Jude's, and we are honored to provide this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Kinsee while we also bring important recognition to the Hospital," said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer.
When she was eight-years-old, Kinsee became sick while on vacation with her grandparents. After blood works at her pediatrician's office revealed she had an elevated white-cell count but almost no red blood cells or platelets, Kinsee was diagnosed with leukemia. Her pediatrician referred her to St. Jude where she was diagnosed with early t-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Doctors often send their toughest cases to St. Jude because St. Jude has the world's best survival rates for some of the most aggressive childhood cancers. Her treatment included starting chemotherapy, a bone-marrow transplant, and radiation therapy. Within several weeks of starting chemotherapy, her cancer was in remission. Kinsee is finished with treatment, and her cancer has been in remission for five years. She is now in eighth grade and loves being part of her cheerleading squad, country music, and
BANANA popsicles.
"Kinsee's recovery is something we can all celebrate because she represents the hope and happy ending we desire for all children - especially during the holidays," Trahern said.
Taped at the Grand Ole Opry House, "CMA Country Christmas" is a celebration of the season featuring performances from Kelsea Ballerini, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton, Jewel, Charles Kelley, Martina McBride, David Nail, Nettles, Pentatonix, LeAnn Rimes, Darius Rucker, Brian Setzer, Michael W. Smith, and Lindsey Stirling.
For information, visit
CMAchristmas.com.
"CMA Country Christmas" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.
About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since it opened in 1962, and they won't stop until no child dies from cancer. The hospital freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, so every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food - because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
Image courtesy of ABC
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