The Iconic 867-5309 Number Just Got a Powerful New Purpose

(99.9 KTDY) - Anyone who considers themselves a child of the 80s knows the iconic song and telephone number 867-5309/Jenny by Tommy Tutone.

Why 867-5309 Became So Famous

The song became a hit across the country in 1981, and for years, people would dial the number just to see what happened. It's a part of our culture and has been for decades now, made famous by a band. It seems like everyone knows this 80s tune.

The Real-Life Stories Behind the Number 867-5309

When you Google the song, you will find tons of hilarious stories over the years about people who have had the phone line. Take, for example, Chris Och in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has had the number 704-867-5309 for about a decade. It was one of the things he had on his bucket list to do.

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Och probably did not expect one of the benefits of having the number when he got it. According to WCNC, Och has tons of credit for items at the Food Lion grocery store and has "saved" $92,000 because people looking for discounts but who didn't have their number signed up would use his!

The Number 867-5309 Sold for Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars

In another wild story about the telephone number, a DJ moving to New York decided to put his 867-5309 up for sale on eBay, and, incredibly, bids reached $365,000, according to CNN!

READ MORE: WHAT THE WORLD IS GOOGLING ABOUT CAJUNS IS HILARIOUS AND SURPRISING

Turning 867-5309 Nostalgia Into Cancer Support

Now there is a big change in line for the song and telephone number. This new change will be to help those who have to deal with cancer.

The Good News Network reported that Tommy Tutone's frontman, Tommy Heath, decided that, since everyone knows someone affected by cancer, he would help ensure the telephone number was used to help people and lift their spirits.

Tutone has teamed up with the global nonprofit Cancer Support Community to turn the telephone number into a force for good, helping those dealing with the disease.

How 272-867-5309 Works

If you click on the numbers associated with the first letter of Cancer Support Community, you get 272, and when you add 867-5309, you are connected to a network that offers cancer help.

Tutone told People Magazine,

When someone is depressed and confused, they’ll go, ‘Hey, I’ll call 272-867-5309. Somebody’s waiting there to help me.’ And I hope they smile at that point.

Cancer Support Community's CEO Sally Werner says the telephone line will offer people support, information, and access to trained professionals.

It's been 45 years since the song became a smash on the radio, and if you need support or someone you know does, then call 272-867-5309!