Radiothon to tell Children's Hospital stories, encourage donations

The Mississippi Miracles Radiothon will celebrate 15 years of helping children by teaming up with 11 radio stations for three days of broadcasting the stories of Batson Children's Hospital.

The Radio People stations US 96.3, Mix 98.7, Y101.7 and 100.9 The Legend from Jackson, River 101.3, K104.5 and 92.7 The Touch of Vicksburg, and 97 OKK, Q 101, 105.7 The Beat and Kiss 104.1 of Meridian will broadcast from the lobby of the state's only children's hospital March 2-4.

The broadcasting will include interviews with current and former Batson Children's Hospital patients and their families. Listeners will be asked to call in pledges to benefit the hospital, funding equipment purchases, research and programs to ensure the hospital is able to provide the most advanced level of medical care for Mississippi's children.

DeNarahri Middleton, left, makes his radio debut during the 2015 Radiothon with Vicksburg station K-Hits while mom Decimbra and sister Deniylah listen in.

The annual Mississippi Miracles Radiothon is the largest fundraiser held at Batson Children's Hospital, bringing in nearly $500,000 for Children's of Mississippi, an umbrella organization that includes the children's hospital and all pediatric care at UMMC.

That money is used to fund specific needs discussed while on the air, such as new cribs, or it goes directly into a fund that supports our areas of greatest need, said Jen Hospodor, manager of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and Community Based Fundraising at Children's of Mississippi.

“These funds are some of the most important gifts we receive because they offer Children's the flexibility to seize opportunities and deal with unexpected needs, such as the purchase of a new piece of equipment when an older one stops working,” she said.

“The three-day broadcast also gives us the chance to tell our story in an authentic and emotional way to an audience spread across the state,” she said. “It has been said that radio is a theater of the mind. This broadcast lets listeners experience what it's like to be a patient or parent here for just a few minutes.”

“It's the best work we do all year long,” said Mix 98.7 Program Director John Anthony of the Mississippi Miracles Radiothon. “Every year, it's something we look forward to. The Radiothon is our pet project.”

To make a donation during the Radiothon, call (601) 984-KIDS (5437) or toll-free (888) 681-KIDS (5437).