Patients, team members and physicians of the region’s only children’s hospital will take center stage on March 5 and 6 for the 2020 Niswonger Children’s Hospital Radiothon.
Now in its eighth year, the radiothon brings the community together to support Niswonger Children’s Hospital, its programs and its patients. The radiothon is the children’s hospital’s second largest annual fundraiser, and to date, it has raised more than $1 million for babies, children, teenagers and their families in the Appalachian Highlands.
The 2020 Niswonger Children’s Hospital Radiothon will support the hospital’s child life and therapy services departments. The specially-trained caregivers on those teams often provide simple games, crafts or toys to help cheer and distract children while they’re undergoing medical treatment.
Radiothon proceeds will also help Ballad Health Foundation furnish the children’s hospital with a new playground. When completed, the playground will be adaptive and inclusive to Niswonger Children’s Hospital patients of all abilities, and it will also be available to visiting siblings.
The Niswonger Children’s Hospital Radiothon will be 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) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. News Channel 11 anchors Sydney Kessler and Josh Smith will also broadcast live from the event in the children’s hospital lobby.
Phone bank teams made up of volunteers will be set up in the lobby of Niswonger Children’s Hospital. Interested donors can call 855-611-KIDS (5437) to make their pledges, beginning on March 5. Donations can also be accepted at any time by visiting www.niswongerchildrensradiothon.org or texting KITE to 51555.
