Radiothon Nets $145,000 For Baystate’s Children’s Hospital

SPRINGFIELD — For weeks, listeners had been asked to tune in and pledge their support for the 4th Annual 94.7 WMAS Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon.
Tune in they did when the Radiothon began for three days on Thursday, March 3. And when it was all over on Saturday at 4 p.m., the three-day fundraiser had generated pledges of $145,000.

“Listeners were clearly moved by the many touching stories they heard on the Radiothon from parents whose children were treated at Baystate Medical Center Children’s Hospital and they responded with great compassion and generosity,” said Michelle Graci, coordinator of Fundraising Events for Baystate Medical Center Children’s Hospital.

“And thanks to the generosity of our Miracle Match partner, Health New England, $10,000 in donations were matched,” she added.

She noted the Radiothon is a “tremendous showcase” for the care that staff at Baystate Medical Center Children’s Hospital provides to children and families in the surrounding communities.

“We thank them and all the families who shared their stories with us,” Graci added.

WMAS (94.7 FM) on-air personalities, led by Paul Cannon and Dina McMahon from the Morning Crew with Paul and Dina, continued with their regular radio formats throughout the day interspersed with live and taped interviews featuring young patients and their families, as well as staff, from Baystate Medical Center Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network.

“We look forward to Radiothon each year,” said Cannon. “It is always rewarding to work with the hospital staff and to meet the patients and families. It’s one way we can help to give back to the community.”

The money raised through the Radiothon will help fund pediatric research, patient care, education and advocacy at Baystate Medical Center Children’s Hospital in Springfield, Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, Mary Lane Hospital in Ware and the Baystate Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice.

“We can’t thank The Morning Crew with Paul and Dina enough, along with the staff of WMAS Radio, for their dedication to the Children’s Miracle Network and the hard work they put into making this year’s Radiothon such a success,” said Ely Dunn, manager, Children’s Miracle Network.

“We also thank our sponsors Health New England, Kavanagh Furniture and Family Wireless from Totally Cellular, as well as the wonderful folks from Balise, Fathers and Sons, and Dairy Queen, to name just a few,” added Graci