The 9th Annual Daytime Celebrates St. Jude Benefit

It's time to play the music, it's time to light the lights: Martha Byrne (Lily/Rose, ATWT) goes over last-minute preparations with right-hand woman Lisa Brown (ex-Iva, ATWT).

The date? Friday, Oct. 10, 2003. The place? The New York Marriott Marquis Hotel. The cause? St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Once again, daytime's stars proved that they're no slouches when it comes to doing the right thing. And the right thing they did, thanks to the tireless efforts of Chairperson Martha Byrne (Lily/Rose, ATWT), who rounded up stars from As the World Turns, Guiding Light, The Young and the Restless, Days of our Lives, The Bold and the Beautiful, All My Children, One Life to Live, General Hospital and Passions. With music, food and performances by soapdom's songsters, the event was designed to be, as Byrne put it "the best wedding you've ever been to!" And it certainly was! But instead of having to dance with Aunt Sadie, fans got to rub elbows with daytime's greats.

The dedication to this cause is apparent to everybody, who put in tremendous effort to be there, Réal Andrews (Walker, ATWT) being one example of the level of commitment. "I traveled almost two hours by train to get here. I have to go two hours back then I've got to get on a plane tomorrow to go to Alabama to do another charity. So obviously, it's pretty important to me." And Michael Park (Jack, ATWT) mentioned the greater participation of L.A. soap stars. "This year is unlike any other year. It's unprecedented. We have so many people from the west coast. I'm very excited about that."

Of course, none of this could have taken place without Martha Byrne and her mother Mary. And everybody seemed to echo that sentiment. "The fact that Martha puts so much work and love and heart and soul into this thing... I'm not just supporting St. Jude, but also supporting Martha and her family," said Tamara Tunie (Jessica, ATWT), who once again stopped the show with her performance of "It's Raining Men." And fan favorite Michael Park, who never fails to help pack the house, also heaped credit on the Byrnes. "Martha and her mother Mary Byrne have done so much work and it's so stressful, and how they keep it together is beyond me." And even though he's done his part for the benefit over the years, the modest Park refused to take any special honors. "I take absolutely, and I can't stress this enough, no credit." Guiding Light's Robert Newman summed it up nicely when he said "Martha's just a saint." And Elizabeth Hubbard (Lucinda, ATWT) looked ahead. "It will continue, knowing Martha. This is going to go on. This has got legs."

To see all the festivities of the St. Jude benefit, click here.

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