Sixth annual Niswonger Children’s Hospital Radiothon raises $395,000
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – 12-year-old Patiance Gardner beamed with excitement when hospital leaders announced the total raised through the 2018 Niswonger Children’s Hospital’s Radiothon.
Patiance – a patient at the children’s hospital who gets monthly infusions due to an immune deficiency – asked for only one thing for her birthday, which was on Sunday, Feb. 25. She wanted people to donate to the radiothon to help kids just like her.
“This has been the best birthday yet, and I’m so happy all these people donated to the hospital,” said Patiance. “It’s really important to me because I want everybody to have a chance to feel better and not be sick. The radiothon is such a great cause because it helps sick kids like me. I don’t know what I would do without Niswonger Children’s Hospital. They are like my family.”
The two-day event began on Monday, Feb. 26 and raised more than $395,000 for the region’s only children’s hospital, far surpassing last year’s total of $330,000. Since its inception six years ago, the radiothon has raised more than $1,300,000.
“The radiothon is one of my favorite events because it brings the community together to support Niswonger Children’s Hospital,” said Lisa Carter, chief executive officer of Niswonger Children’s Hospital. “It’s encouraging to see businesses, teams and individuals all working to support our kids, and I am so grateful for everyone who was a part of radiothon.”
More than 200 volunteers and 1,300 donors came together to support the radiothon.
Teams of volunteers also had a friendly competition on Tuesday in the lobby of the children’s hospital to see who could garner the most money for radiothon. They manned the phone banks, and made calls to friends and family members. The winning team – led by Hayley Dietrich – raised over $76,000.
This year’s radiothon supports Niswonger Children’s Hospital’s Children’s Resource Center.
The Children’s Resource Center – created in 2016 – provides programs, education and support to families in our region. Some of the programs through the Children’s Resource Center include the Morning Mile, B.E.A.R. Buddies, and a number of child safety programs.
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.
If you would like to donate to the radiothon, you can still do so through www.NiswongerChildrensRadiothon.com. You can also text 'FORHOPE' to 243725 or call the Ballad Health Foundation at 423-302-3131.
