Dena Kasem

Dena Kasem is a radio host and activist, best known for her work on Casey Kasem's American Top 40 and her advocacy for patients' rights alongside organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Organization for Women. She has been involved in various high-profile cases, including the Terri Schiavo case, and has worked with notable figures such as Ralph Nader and Jesse Jackson. Dena Kasem's career has been marked by her dedication to social justice and her commitment to using her platform to raise awareness about important issues, often in collaboration with organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Human Rights Campaign.

● Early Life and Career

Dena Kasem began her career in radio at a young age, working alongside her husband Casey Kasem on his popular countdown show American Top 40, which was syndicated by Westwood One and featured music from artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Elton John. She also worked on other radio programs, including The Casey Kasem Show and Keep Your Feet on the Ground and Keep Reaching for the Stars, which were broadcast on stations like KRLA and WABC. During this time, she was influenced by the work of Norman Lear and Aaron Spelling, and she developed a passion for social justice, which would later become a central focus of her career, with support from organizations like the NAACP and the Anti-Defamation League.

● Personal Life

Dena Kasem has been married to Casey Kasem since 1980, and the couple has one daughter, Liberty Kasem, who has been involved in various charitable endeavors, including work with the Children's Miracle Network and the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Dena Kasem has been open about her experiences as a caregiver for her husband, who suffered from Lewy body dementia and was the subject of a high-profile conservatorship dispute involving Kerri Kasem and Jean Kasem, with involvement from the Los Angeles Superior Court and the California Department of Public Health. She has spoken publicly about the challenges of caring for a loved one with a debilitating illness, often in conjunction with organizations like the Alzheimer's Association and the National Institute on Aging.

● Advocacy and Activism

Dena Kasem is a vocal advocate for patients' rights and has worked with organizations like the American Medical Association and the National Patient Safety Foundation to raise awareness about issues like medical malpractice and informed consent. She has also been involved in various high-profile campaigns, including the Right to Die movement, which has been supported by figures like Jack Kevorkian and Derek Humphry, and the National Healthcare Reform effort, which has been led by organizations like the AARP and the Families USA. Dena Kasem has worked with notable activists like Ralph Nader and Michael Moore to promote social justice and advocate for the rights of marginalized communities, often in collaboration with groups like the ACLU and the Sierra Club.

● Radio Hosting Career

Dena Kasem has had a successful career in radio, hosting shows like The Dena Kasem Show and Radio Moments, which have been broadcast on stations like KFI and WOR. She has interviewed a wide range of guests, including celebrities like Cher and Elton John, as well as newsmakers like Nancy Pelosi and John McCain, and has covered topics like entertainment news and current events, often with input from organizations like the Screen Actors Guild and the National Press Club. Dena Kasem has won numerous awards for her work in radio, including the Gracie Award and the Marian McPartland Award, which are presented by organizations like the Alliance for Women in Media and the Jazz Foundation of America.

● Notable Cases and Campaigns

Dena Kasem has been involved in several high-profile cases and campaigns throughout her career, including the Terri Schiavo case, which was widely covered by media outlets like CNN and Fox News, and the Schiavo memo, which was written by Tom DeLay and Tom Ridge. She has also worked on campaigns like the National Organ Donor Awareness Campaign, which was launched by organizations like the United Network for Organ Sharing and the National Kidney Foundation, and the Right to Die movement, which has been supported by figures like Jack Kevorkian and Derek Humphry. Dena Kasem has collaborated with notable organizations like the American Cancer Society and the March of Dimes to raise awareness about important health issues, and has worked with lawmakers like Ted Kennedy and Barbara Boxer to promote social justice and advocate for the rights of marginalized communities, often in conjunction with groups like the NAACP and the Human Rights Campaign.