Keith Urban is pitching in to help sick kids at St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis in a really cool way. He has become the first “Artist Ambassador” to partner with Cisco Technologies to bring a virtual, interactive experience to the children. The program is called Connected Caring and it involves Urban being broadcast conference-style with the children and visting with them. In the video below, we see Urban asking the kids what they had for breakfast and playing a song with them as he encourages one child to play a drum solo.
“I’ve had a long relationship with St. Jude and the incredible team there,” said Urban.
“Now with this new partnership with Cisco and their Connected Caring Program, we’re going to take it to another level. It’s quite extraordinary. No matter where I am in the world it’s like I’m in the room with the kids and their families in Memphis. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to do what I can to help everyone feel connected.”
This isn’t the first time Urban has helped out kids in need of cheering up at the renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The cause has been an ongoing effort for Urban and he will be the first of many Artist Ambassadors to get involved with the program.
“Keith Urban has been a long-time supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, so it was a natural fit for us to partner with him and Cisco on the Connected Caring platform,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“Thanks to the Cisco Telepresence technology, Keith will be able to connect directly with our patient families to sing them happy birthday, share an encouraging word, and help take their mind off of their illness for a little while. We are grateful to Cisco and Keith for this amazing opportunity to provide powerful human connections to children who are battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”
Urban’s other charitable efforts include the “All For The Hall” benefit concerts for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which has raised over $2.6 million.
Urban is also the first Ambassador of the CMA Foundation and is a longtime supporter of The Mr. Holland’s Opus Fund and The Grammy Foundation.
Watch Keith Urban with the children of St. Jude’s in the video below!
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