Worth fighting for
Gospel music star Brian Courtney Wilson sets down his microphone and hits the pavement running for St. Jude.
Motown Gospel artist Brian Courtney Wilson’s hit song Worth Fighting For says it all about his community-minded ministry, his trust in the power of inspiration and his support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“As a Christian artist singing about hope and continuing to be faithful regardless of circumstance, the role that St. Jude plays in the lives of the patients and families in terms of facilitating that, and bringing hope and healing to those families, is a good fit,” he said. “So when I’m asked to be a part of it, it makes total sense to me.”
Wilson first became acquainted with St. Jude through his work with a radiothon and it was shortly after, when he was able to visit the hospital for a tour, that he saw firsthand the lifesaving mission of St. Jude: Finding cures. Saving children.®
“You’re able to put some faces to what’s going on there and it makes it more real, you can see the everyday efforts going on there.”
In 2017, he stepped up his support of St. Jude by running a 5.25-mile leg of a celebrity relay in the St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon.
The race raised $1.7 million, helping to ensure that 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.
The self-described non-runner (he prefers playing teams sports such as recreational basketball) found the race “exhilarating.”
We were shoulder-to-shoulder running out there and we all knew we were running for a great cause,” he says. “I enjoyed it. As difficult as it was, it was very gratifying.
Brian Courtney Wilson performing onstage
Wilson also sang the national anthem for the crowd of nearly 34,000 before the race.
“It was beautiful,” he said of the crowd’s energy. “I felt a sense of responsibility to set the right tone that we’re all coming together regardless of our creeds, regardless of our demographic, how much money we have in our pockets, it’s just the fact that we’re all taking the time to come out there for the kids who need help.”
Wilson sings in his hit song, “I am your child and I'm worth fighting for.” It’s a sentiment he takes to heart in his spiritual songs and in advocating for St. Jude when he tells his fans, “Big or small, whatever you’re able to contribute, it’s going to matter.”
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