Idol Recap will be delayed, but here's some Kellie Pickler to keep you occupied!

I'm delayed on doing tonight's recap. Been super busy, and honestly, I'm a bit drained right now, so I'm not prepared to write a full recap. I did, however, want to share with you a little bit about one of last year's Idols and the great things she continues to do.

As you know, that's Kellie Pickler in the photo there. Kellie recently spent time working with St. Jude Country Cares radio seminar. She also spent time meeting and greeting kids who are struggling with cancer.

The one you might not know in the photo, however, is my little friend Taylor. Taylor and her family are very special to me, and at four years old, Tay is always fun to play with. We all found out that Taylor had cancer several months back. They took her in for a fever, and after several days of no break in the fever, the doctor's discovered a Wilm's tumor on her kidney. The tumor was the size of a football prior to radiation therapy. I don't know how it fit inside that little body. And then they found the spot on her lung. Stage 4 lung cancer.

That would be enough to devastate any family, but here's the kicker: Taylor had just celebrated her adoption becoming official. From such joy to such pain, I marvel at how well her family held themselves together.

Fortunately, Taylor's hometown of Memphis is also the home of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It's truly one of the greatest institutions that has ever been created for children with catastrophic diseases. St. Jude mission is very clear: cure and treat childhood cancer. They turn no children away. Whatever a family's insurance will not pay, St. Jude forgives. If a child's family has no ability to pay, they simply aren't charged. They exist based on your gifts, and I encourage each of you to scroll down to the bottom of this site, click through on the St. Jude banner, explore the site, and make a donation.

Taylor's now one treatment away from being in complete remission. Kellie Pickler spent some time with her and her mother at the function. (Taylor's mom was a guest speaker, representing the parent population.) Kellie was sweet, caring, and gave her full attention to the children. She's to be commended for taking time out of her schedule to give to these kids.

And most of all, thanks to God who used the hands at St. Jude to keep our Taylor alive and happy.


UPDATE: Today and tomorrow is the St. Jude Radiothon. Please call 1-888-278-HOPE. You can become a Partner in Hope ($20 a month) or just make a donation of any amount that you feel you can. Help the kids.

Here's an excerpt of Kellie's experience at St. Jude from their official site:

Fans of the 2006 American Idol contest rooted for Kellie Pickler as the small-town Southern girl with a 100-watt smile who could give as good as she got to Simon Cowell. That winning smile was on full view on Friday morning as Pickler toured the halls of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and visited with patients for the very first time.

“It’s the most rewarding feeling when you walk into the room and they’re so happy to see you,” Pickler said. “I hope they know I’m just as happy to see them.”

Friday marked the second day of St. Jude’s Radio Training Seminar, an annual event designed to give musical artists and radio representatives the kick-start they need to enter the busy radiothon season.

In addition to Pickler, Chris Young, Clay Walker, Pat Green, Mark Wills, Andy Griggs, Sarah Buxton and Randy Owen of the GRAMMY® Award-winning group ALABAMA were among the country music superstars who toured St. Jude and visited with some of the children who are treated here each year for life-threatening diseases.

It was clear that Pickler has a way with kids as she knelt to hug and visit her youngest fans – a knack that may come with having a 6-year-old brother.

Pickler’s life has changed greatly since she shot to stardom last year, and she enjoyed the slow, homey rhythm of simply spending time with the kids. Along with three-time GRAMMY® nominee Pat Green, she was able to visit with patients Zackery and Jessica in the privacy of their rooms.

“It’s awesome to go in there and meet with the families and hang out with the kids and watch movies and play games and learn about them,” Pickler said. “It’s been an incredible experience.”

Pickler, in turn, called on her fans and those in the country music industry to help support the hospital.

“When you’re able to give back to your communities and organizations like St. Jude, it’s a great thing,” Pickler said. “It’s been a great experience, and I encourage anyone and everyone to help.”