After hearing about the ways churches have been struggling financially amid the coronavirus pandemic, Fox News host Ed Henry decided to donate a portion of the proceeds from his forthcoming book to the Archdiocese of New York.
Henry made the decision overnight, announcing the donation Tuesday morning. The “America’s Newsroom” anchor felt compelled to give some of the profit from “Saving Colleen” — a memoir about his experience donating a portion of his liver last summer to his sister — after hearing New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan explain on “Fox & Friends” Monday that tithes are significantly down right now.
The 48-year-old journalist told Faithwire he had already decided to give some of the book’s proceeds to The Living Bank, a nonprofit centered on advancing living organ donation to help confront the shortage of organs needed for life-saving transplants, and the American Liver Foundation, an organization that promotes liver health and disease prevention.
Because faith has played such an important role in both Henry and his sister Colleen’s lives, the Fox News host said donating to the church was a natural fit.
“Colleen and I would not have made it through without the love and support of our parents, who raised us Catholic,” Henry said. “I have no idea how much ‘Saving Colleen’ will sell, so the proceeds are not going to solve the problem, but we want to make a difference.”
Henry told Faithwire he is personally grateful to fellow Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt, a devout Christian whom he has credited with leading a “prayer army” for him and Colleen, who is recovering well.
Earhardt, for her part, recently opened up to Faithwire about her own faith.
Throughout his entire experience, which began in early July 2019, Henry said he found so much catharsis in discussing the surgery on live television. He also praised Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott, whom he said “supported my family every step of the way.”
“One show host after another encouraged the Fox News Channel audience to join them in prayer for Colleen and I — from Sean Hannity to Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham,” Henry recalled. “I am forever grateful, because it lifted us up, and reminded me the power of prayer is real.”
To pre-order “Saving Colleen,” releasing Sept. 15, click here.