Tomorrows Children's Fund - Hackensack University Medical Center

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16th Annual WFAN Radiothon

Tune in to Sports Radio 660 am WFAN New York for the 16th Annual Radiothon to benefit the Tomorrows Children’s Fund, the CJ Foundation for SIDS and the Imus Ranch.  Each year, this event draws a national audience, thanks to the Imus in the Morning Program, listeners are able to hear stories from patients, parents, doctors and child life specialists about their experiences with each of the charities. 

The Annual WFAN Radiothon, a 28 1/2 hour fundraising marathon, is an unparalleled demonstration of the power of radio puts to its best use. WFAN is committed to helping the charities and has done so for over 15 years, over $ 27 million has been raised for the charities.

Tune in, donate, make a difference in a young life.

To make an online donation to the radiothon click here www.wfan.com

Details for the Event:

Thursday, April 14th 2005

Broadcasting live from 5:30 am to 7:00 pm at the Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey at The Medical Plaza in the Palm Court.  Public welcome!!!

The Imus in the Morning Program live from 5:30 am to 11:00 am

Joe Benigno live from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Mike and the Mad Dog Show live from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm

7:00 pm to 5:30 am (Friday April 15th) programming returns to the WFAN studios.

Friday, April 15th 2005

The Radiothon closes with The Imus in the Morning Program broadcasting live from the New York Stock Exchange from 5:30 am to 10:00 am.

Details from last years event: 15h Annual WFAN Radiothon: The Sound of Success

Once more, nationally syndicated radio personality Don Imus and Sports Radio 66 WFAN used the airwaves for a higher purpose during the 15th Annual WFAN Radiothon to support the Tomorrows Children’s Fund, CJ Foundation for SIDS and The Imus Ranch. When Mr. Imus concluded the broadcast, over 3 million dollars had been raised from corporate donations, sports auctions and individual pledges, making this year’s event one of the most successful yet!

The 2004 WFAN Radiothon kicked off on Thursday, May 6th from the New York Stock Exchange, where the Imus in the Morning show aired live. Next, Mac and Sid’s program was broadcast from the Museum of TV and Radio, followed by the Mike and the Mad Dog show, airing from the same location. The Radiothon continued throughout the night, as Steve Somers and Joe Benigno drummed up listeners’ support from the WFAN studio. It concluded on Friday, May 7th, with Don Imus live on the air once more from Hackensack University Medical Center.

Throughout the broadcast, these tireless professionals gave listeners new insight into the hardships of children with cancer and serious blood diseases—as well as the heartache suffered by siblings and parents of babies lost to SIDS. And the very people who benefit from the Radiothon, including patients of Tomorrows Children’s Institute, aided the WFAN team’s outstanding efforts.

Early in the day, Child Life Therapist Elizabeth Brandolini accompanied eight-year-old patient Erin Barone on the air to talk about the recent Britney Spears concert that Erin, her mother Lauren and two friends attended in April— courtesy of TCF.  Their uplifting story was followed by an interview with head Social Worker Judy Solomon, along with two-year-old patient Vincent Massa, Jr. and his father, Vincent Massa, Sr., who discussed the expert medical care provided at TCI.  Next, Education Liaison David Gordon, former patient David Kay and his mother Hillary Kay highlighted the many services provided to survivors through the Cure and Beyond Center.  Finally, Social Worker Margaret O’Neill joined Gail Kwiat, whose son Brian succumbed to a rare blood disorder in 2001, to address the benefits of the grief counseling that’s offered to families through Tomorrows Children’s Fund.  And each of these personal accounts went a long way toward helping listeners understand how their contribution to the WFAN Radiothon makes a difference for those struggling with cancer and serious blood disorder.

To be sure, many outstanding achievements at TCF have been made possible through this overwhelmingly successful fundraiser since its inception. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to the hundreds of dedicated supporters involved in this year’s remarkable event—from the volunteers who staffed the phone banks to the employees at WFAN who work so hard to make this the outstanding Radiothon it is each year. We couldn’t do it without you!

Pictured Above: Erin Barone, TCF kid, Susan Cohen, Supervisor of Child Life Specialists, Mike Francesa, Mike and the Mad Dog Radio Program.