Radiothon Nets $138,000 For CMN

SPRINGFIELD — The WMAS Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon was extended from two days to three this year in hopes of breaking last year’s mark of $67,000. As the event unfolded, that total was surpassed before the first day of broadcasting was completed.

The second annual radiothon, staged March 6-8, has raised $138,555 for the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), and donations are still coming in, according to officials at Baystate Medical Center.

“Listeners were clearly moved by the many touching stories they heard last year on the radiothon from parents whose children were treated at the hospital,” said Michelle Graci, coordinator of fundraising events for the facility, “and they tuned in again this year with many new listeners.”

Over the three days of the radiothon, regular formatting was interspersed with live and taped interviews featuring young patients and families, as well as staff from the children’s hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network. Listeners were invited to call in with pledges.

“I think this year’s radiothon benefited tremendously from live broadcasts right from the Pediatric Playdeck,” said WMAS DJ Dave James.

“After all, the stories are right at the children’s hospital, and while we were broadcasting from there our listeners really responded.”