CMNH Telethon Celebrates Miracles

Children and families touched by UR Medicine’s Golisano Children’s Hospital came together on June 1 to share their remarkable stories on the 31st annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) Telethon, presented by Tops Friendly Markets and hosted by News10NBC.

Part of Miracle Weekend, the event shared the heart-wrenching stories of our 2014 Miracle Kids and their families, as well as those from past years. Co-hosted by News10NBC anchors Nikki Rudd, Lia Lando, Brett Davidsen and Scott Kilbury, the Telethon also acknowledged the hard work our CMNH sponsors have put in over the past year, revealing their generous fundraising totals throughout the day.

With money raised from the numerous CMNH fundraising events, and generous donations and pledges from the community, the event raised and acknowledged more than $4 million.

Beloved nurse managers, physicians, and CMNH sponsors manned the phone booths, taking pledges from community supporters. Representatives from Tops Friendly Markets, Webster Division Kiwanis, Walmart, Abbott’s Frozen Custard, RE/MAX Plus, and RE/MAX Realty Group, Dairy Queen, and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment all played a role in the Telethon’s success.

Special guests 2014 Miracle Kid Katie Foster and her cousin, and best friend, Mareesa Boyatzies kept the phones ringing when they emceed the incentives portion of the telecast, asking people to make a pledge that would allow a patient to receive a flower arrangement from our friends at Wisteria Flowers and Gifts.  Katie and Mareesa were diagnosed with different forms of cancer within 24 hours of one another.

The network also revealed a never-before-seen inside tour of the construction progress of the future children’s hospital, taking viewers through the lobby up to the expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and onto the innovative Playdeck.

“Although miracles are celebrated throughout the year at Golisano Children’s Hospital, May is a special time when all Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals recognize the wonders made possible by medical professionals, patient families, and children’s hospital advocates in their respective communities,” said Betsy Findlay, director of special events and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at Golisano Children’s Hospital. “That’s what Rochester’s Miracle Weekend is all about.” 

Special thanks to Tops Friendly Markets for being the presenting sponsor for the third consecutive year and to our friends at Wisteria Flowers and Gifts, Abbott’s Frozen Custard and Dairy Queen for providing incentives during the event.