"Hope Rising" campaign raises record $484,000 in 10th annual Niswonger Children's Hospital radiothon
The 10th Niswonger Children’s Hospital Radiothon concluded with nearly a half million dollars raised over the two-day fundraiser.
The new record surpasses the previous record of donations set in 2021 by about $39,000, kicking off a successful capital campaign focused on expanding the children’s hospital and its services. The two-day event began Thursday and concluded Friday evening after 36 hours of nonstop fundraising, bringing to a close another successful year of fundraising for the region’s only children’s hospital.
“We know the community stands beside us, but the generosity still blows us away every year,” said Ballad Health Foundation President Jack Simpson. “In 10 years, our community has banded together to put almost $4 million toward the future of healthcare in the Appalachian Highlands. That’s absolutely incredible."
This year’s radiothon marked several other records, including 30 teams, 240 volunteers and a record 1,400 donations. Over the past decade, the radiothon has helped fund a special care unit, a pediatric ambulance, pediatric rehabilitation equipment and an adaptive playground at Niswonger Children’s Hospital. A year ago, radiothon funds also helped launch the Niswonger Children’s Network, a system of care dedicated to bettering the access of quality healthcare to every child in the Appalachian Highlands.
This year’s fundraiser will support a three-story vertical expansion of Niswonger Children’s Hospital. The expansion is one part of the newly announced “Hope Rising” campaign, a $30 million commitment from Ballad Health to bolster pediatric services in the region.
“When we opened the children’s hospital in 2009, we knew we weren’t done and we had more work to do someday,” said Lisa Carter, president of Ballad Health’s southern market. “And this week, we announced those next steps. These new investments mean we can bring more pediatric specialists to our region in addition to a new Regional Center for Perinatal and Neonatal Care. With these investments, our patients and their families will be able to receive specialty care closer to home.
“We are very fortunate to have this hospital in our region, and we are excited about the future these new investments will create.”
The radiothon is presented by the Ballad Health Foundation and was broadcast live on four of Holston Valley Broadcasting Corporation’s radio stations—98.5 WTFM, 95.9 The Hog WRZK, Classic Hits 102.7 WVEK and ESPN Tri-Cities—both days, in addition to special coverage provided by WJHL News Channel 11.
Donations are still being accepted at the Niswonger Children's Hospital Radiothon website. Donors can text “KITE” to 243725 or call the Ballad Health Foundation at 855-611-KIDS (5437) to make a donation.
