iHeart Media is hosting its 24th annual Radiothon to benefit the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. It is airing today and tomorrow (Friday) on Star 105.7 FM (WSRW) and B-93.7 (WBCT), from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Corewell Health's iconic 14-story building is at 100 Michigan St. NE, along Grand Rapids' Medical Mile. Adjacent to Corewell Health's Butterworth Hospital, HDCH admits more than 9,000 children each year, and treats more than 1,500 newborn babies in its Neonatal I-C-U.
The fundraising supports about two dozen programs at Helen DeVos, including the Center for Child Protection. Here is a link to the fundraiser page.
Dr. James Fahner with Helen DeVos Children's Hospital spoke about it on WOOD Radio's West Michigan Morning News. He is the hospital's Medical Director of Philanthropy Education:
"These next two days, we're going to be hearing some of the most amazing, inspiring and heartwarming stories directly from those kids and families who have been affected by the great care at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. But you know it's care that would not be possible in any way without the support of this amazing, generous West Michigan community," he said.
Dr. Fahner noted the resilience of the children and their families.
"Not only from across West Michigan and the entire state, but the Midwest and the nation. And you can't help but just be energized and inspired by what those kids and families go through. And come out the other side of an incredible medical journey," he said.
All of the funds raised during the Radiothon will stay in West Michigan to provide care for the kids. That can include medicines and treatment informed by cutting-edge research.
"It's not only the incredible training and the specialized care that occurs in the Children's Hospital, especially for our young kids and families. But it is those wraparound services that allow those kids and families to come through that experience intact. And that's our Child and Life Family program, music therapy, pep therapy. Our hospital's schools keep our kids connected to their teachers and their local school districts," Dr. Fahner said.
He pointed out that the donated funding supports the entire team of caregivers at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, as well as the treatment and the other aforementioned disciplines.
Here is a link to the Radiothon Impact Report.
By James Gemmell