WMAS Radiothon Benefitting Baystate Children’s Hospital Set for March 5-6

SPRINGFIELD — “Evie is the happiest little bean there ever was. Even through the hardest of times, this little sunshine brightens up the room as she continues to push through every obstacle thrown her way thanks to being under the care of the best doctors, nurses and clinical staff out there,” said Kristen Dedrick about Baystate Children’s Hospital.

When Kristen gave birth to her daughter, Evie Dedrick, on Oct. 20, 2016, in her words, “It was way earlier than we were ready for.” Within minutes of entering this world, Evie was rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Baystate Children’s Hospital. She was having respiratory issues and needed extra support to help her breath.

But that was just the beginning of Evie’s journey. Six weeks after her birth, she started to have respiratory issues again and the Dedricks, of Easthampton, found themselves in the Emergency Department at Baystate, where she was admitted to the Children’s Hospital. If that wasn’t enough, during her four-month checkup, Evie’s doctor was concerned about her head size increasing and a scan revealed enlarged ventricles.

Listeners can hear Evie’s full story, which is just one of many amazing stories of courage and hope to be heard during the often emotional annual 94.7 WMAS Radiothon to benefit Baystate Children’s Hospital, to be broadcast live from Baystate Medical Center for two days on March 5-6 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Your generous pledges made during the Radiothon support the true heroes of the only comprehensive children’s hospital in western Massachusetts — our talented and compassionate caregiving team and our many miracle children and their families,” said Scott Berg, vice president of Philanthropy, Baystate Health, and executive director of theBaystate Health Foundation.

On-air personalities at 94.7 FM WMAS, led by the Kellogg Krew of Chris, Dina, and Lopez, will again continue this year with their regular radio formats throughout the day, interspersed with live and taped interviews featuring young patients and their families, as well as community donors, event sponsors and staff from Baystate Children’s Hospital. They will be asking listeners to pledge their support in making miracles happen for kids by calling in donations to phone banks at the hospital. The phone number to call in during the event is (413) 794-1111.

The phone banks will be accessible to the public in the Tolosky Family Living Room, located off the Daly Building entrance lobby. Visitors are invited to stop by the phone banks while at the hospital and pledge their support.

Listeners will have an opportunity during the Radiothon to join the “Miracle Maker Club,” a recurring pledge of at least $20 per month on a credit card or by making a one-time donation. Thanks to Cartamundi, the official Miracle Maker sponsor, when listeners become a member of the club, a toy or game will be delivered in their name to a pediatric patient at Baystate Children’s Hospital.

Those wanting to become a “Change Hero” to raise funds for the Radiothon can create their own fundraising web page by visiting WMASkids.com. Change Heroes who turn in their funds by March 29 and raise $100 or more will have an opportunity to win a special prize.

Baystate Children’s Hospital is one of 170 fundraising Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are unique in that 100{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of all money raised locally goes directly to Baystate Children’s Hospital in Springfield in support of children’s health programs and services.

Phone Bank Sponsor for this year’s Radiothon is Lia Auto Group, Miracle Maker sponsor is Cartamundi, and Change Hero program sponsor is Pioneer Valley Credit Union. Other sponsors include Freedom Credit Union as the Giggle Break sponsor and Costco and Subway as Hospitality sponsors.

For more information on the Radiothon, visit www.WMASkids.com  or call (413) 794-1486. And, for those who want to show their support and make a donation now, text WMASkids to 5155.