I went to school with Lee Stanley.  I was friends with his older sister, Anna.  We all grew up in the Thruston area.  I was scrolling through Facebook a week ago or so and saw a wonderful tribute to Lee from his mother, Rosemary Lawson.  See, Lee was a St. Jude patient in the 80's and ultimately lost his battle with cancer in 1989.  In fact, a few years ago here on the WBKR Radiothon, Rosemary joined us to talk about Lee's experience at St. Jude.  Like virtually every parent of a child who lost their battle with cancer, Rosemary had nothing but immense praise and passion for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  That relationship continues today . . . 30 years later.

Lee Stanley would have been 45-years-old on January 26th.  To commemorate the occasion, his mother shared photos and memories on Facebook.\

Rosemary Lawson/Facebook
Rosemary Lawson/Facebook
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Lee would have been 45 today. This is his last school picture . . .

a picture of him and his sister Anna Jackson from the early 80's . . .

Rosemary Lawson/Facebook
Rosemary Lawson/Facebook
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and both sides of his tombstone in Elmwood Cemetery, Owensboro, KY.

Rosemary Lawson/Facebook
Rosemary Lawson/Facebook
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Rosemary Lawson/Facebook
Rosemary Lawson/Facebook
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My beloved maternal grandmother buried her first-born in 1938 when he was only 21. I was around 8 when she shared that her love for him did not die when he died - that you love your children as long as you live.not as long as they live. Lee was a 'St. Jude Dude!"! Notice the 'St. Jude' logo on his tombstone. Your support of 'St. Jude Children's Research Hospital' in Memphis, TN, provides the latest and best treatment of diseases that threaten the lives of children - - - regardless of their ability to pay!!! You cannot find a better charitable cause to support.

Here at WBKR, we continue our tradition of raising money for all the children of St. Jude.  As founder Danny Thomas proclaimed "No child should die in the dawn of life."  With your help, we can continue to wage war against childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases.  What Rosemary says is correct . . .  "you cannot find a better charitable cause to support.'

To become a St. Jude Partner-in-Hope, simply call 1-800-201-8883.  It's just $20 per month for 12 months on a credit/debit card.  You can also text WBKR to 626262.  All Partners will receive the brand new St. Jude This Shirt Saves Lives t-shirt.

St. Jude/Country Cares
St. Jude/Country Cares
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St. Jude has made tremendous progress against childhood cancer.  When the hospital doors first opened in the early 60's, the survival rate was minimal.  Today's it's 80%.  However, that means 1 in 5 children still won't survive, despite infinite advancements in diagnosis and treatment.  And that's not acceptable.  St. Jude knows it.  Rosemary Lawson knows it.  And we know it.  So, please . . . join us in the fight.  Become a St. Jude Partner-in-Hope.

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