The funny thing is. I have asked to be removed from the calling list of St Jude (total of 7 different groups so far: the different groups are all call centers calling on their behalf) and I will continue getting calls until their current round of donation requests is done. Really pisses me off that they call like this every time my grandfather sends a donation in the mail.
MDS Communications is a major provider of robo-call fundraising which makes them exempt from the Do Not Call laws. They are also known for keeping huge percentages of the money people donate. A few years ago, in NY State alone, they collected over 12 million dollars, of which they KEPT over 7.5 million. If you want to donate to charities, the best way is to give your $$ directly to local organizations so you're not wasting anything paying intermediaries.
I have to agree with the computer router scheme because on my caller id it said "Clairton PA" and then just for a split second when my answering machine picked up it changed to something "Ohio" and it was too quick for me to catch and it didn't register on my caller id list. If this is St Jude calling for donations as most of the other posts say, I have not donated to them in years so I don't know why my number would be coming up on a list now unless they've bought it from someone else. It does seem if you donate to one place you get hit with a flood of calls and snail mail from everyone with a hand out.