Area appreciation shows are common in Branson, but the Duttons are did it a little differently this year – to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The Duttons hosted their 2015 Area Appreciation Shows from Monday June 15 through Saturday June20th. All proceeds from the $7 local admission price were donated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, which is dedicated to finding cancer cures and saving children.

The Dutton family has been involved in both personal and group fundraising for St. Jude, as a way of showing their gratitude for the care and compassion provided to Josiah, the son of AmyDutton Arambulo and her husband Rudy Arambulo. Josiah was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago and is receiving treatment through the St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at Mercy Children’s Hospital in Springfield.

According to grandma Sheila Dutton, “The family was struggling with whether to move Josiah to St. Louis for his weekly treatments, or keep him in Salt Lake City where he was first diagnosed. That’s when the doctors at Salt Lake’s Primary Children’s Hospital told us that St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis had an auxiliary clinic at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Having access to the quality of medical care provided by St. Jude right here in this area has been a real blessing and we want to give back in any way possible.”

Josiah’s particular form of leukemia currently has a 90% cure rate, but treatments are required over the course of 3 ½ years. The proximity of St. Jude in Springfield has enabled Amy to continue performing in the Duttons’ show and her husband Rudy has been able to keep up with the rigors of his law practice in Branson, as well as taking care of Josiah’s three older brothers. Aside from raising money for St. Jude through Area Appreciation, Amy commented, “Above all I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of prayers and messages over the past months. Such sweet concern and compassion has helped carry us through this difficult time. You’re also invited to keep track of “Josiah’s Journey” athttp://josiahsjourney.squarespace.com.”

Thanks to their efforts and to the giving hearts of the audience members, The Duttons were able to raise over $12,000 this year for St. Jude. “It was an amazing experience over that week to see not only the locals respond to our request, but also to see the tourists visiting Branson that were in the audience that gave so generously to this wonderful cause.” Dean Dutton, Josiah’s Grandfather, continued, “We finished the week with a VIP night where we invited our local business leaders to the show as well as the staff and patients from St. Jude. It was such a wonderful evening. One we will never forget!”

For more information about St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at Mercy Children’s Hospital in Springfield,
visit www.mercy.net/practice/st-jude-affiliate-clinic-at-mercy-childrens-hospital-springfield.

For more information about The Duttons, visit www.theduttons.com