"CASTING HOPETM", www.castinghope.net is a new Internet radio show via www.bigmediausa.com created pecifically to benefit the kids of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, featuring radio personality co-host Gary Spears, whose sincere warmth and compassionate charm is a rare treat. Gary has always been very sensitive to the needs of children and the impact chronic illness has on the families. Having a close family friend from his hometown of Indiana pass away at the very young age of nine years old from Leukemia left Gary and his community consumed with a deep sorrow. Gary feels "Casting HopeTM" will give him opportunity to bring his heartfelt feelings of encouragement and support through his humor and positive energies to families who are in need of a little lifting of spririt when coping with their brave little children who are dealing with such serious chronic illnesses.
Joining Gary Spears is Hollywood casting director Pixie Monroe who is also executive producer and creator of this new endeavor. Ms. Monroe began raising funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as a youth. Her parents Edward and Marie Petros were asked by their friend Danny Thomas, fifty years ago to help him create his dream. Mr. Thomas shared his vision with the Petros, making a personal plea to them both, asking for help to raise the funds to develop, build and sustain an unprecedented research hospital for children who were suffering from cancer and catastrophic diseases. Mr. Petros is one of the few original surviving Board of Directors from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. This is the beginning of an untold journey.
This show concept was inspired as a memorial tribute to Ms. Monroe's mother, Marie Petros, who suffered a simultaneous stroke and massive heart attack, but was given six more miraculous years with her family after receiving a mechanical heart valve. This heart valve was developed by St. Jude researchers. Marie Petros has since then passed away only a few months ago. Ms. Monroe and her father feel they must continue to fulfill their family's personal promise to Mr. Thomas. Mr. Petros recently donated a generous gift to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in hopes that it can be utilized to create "The 1st Annual Beacon of Hope Event" for both the East and West coasts in honor of Marie Petros, his beloved late wife, and is the Petros family's way of saying thank you for the necessary research and outstanding medical care St. Jude's provides for children suffering with such difficult illnesses and being a beacon of hope for their families. This is also a personal thank you from the Petros family for the most precious gift they surprisingly received from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - more time with their loved one. The irony of these story cannot be ignored.
