Set up begins for 45th St. Jude Telethon

PEORIA (25 News Now) - Preparations are underway for the annual St. Jude Telethon at the Peoria Civic Center.

The fundraiser has raised millions of dollars over the last nearly 50 years for St. Jude patients and cancer research.

Telethon broadcast director Dave Lennie says even after two decades of helping with the telethon, he makes time for it because it’s important to him and the community.

“Everyone knows someone who is touched by cancer even if it’s not childhood cancer,” he said. “That research is good for everybody so I think that it’s something that the community really embraces.”

The telethon begins 6:30 p.m. Saturday. You can watch it on WEEK-NBC or streaming on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku or here on 25NewsNow.com