telethon raises record-breaking $2.3 million

The 30th annual broadcast of The Children's Miracle Network Telethon raised a record-breaking $2.3 million for Dayton Children's on June 2-3, 2012. 

The telethon was hosted by  Channel 7’s, Cheryl McHenry, Mike Hartsock and K99.1 FM’s Nancy Wilson.

“The broadcast truly is a celebration of the children in our care,” says Debbie Butner, telethon manager at Dayton Children’s.

“The telethon is also an opportunity to thank and recognize our sponsors and donors for their generous support. Their commitment helps us continue to provide the best pediatric care during a child’s time of need.”

Supporting the Children’s Miracle Network helps ensure children throughout the Miami Valley receive the quality health care they deserve when they are treated at Dayton Children’s.  Funds raised locally for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals program benefit Dayton Children’s.

The new Dayton Children's ambassadors were also announced and introduced during telethon. Ambassadors represent Dayton Children’s at various events and programs throughout the year.

The new 2012-2013 ambassadors are:

• Ethan Conley, 11, from Englewood came to Dayton Children’s in January 2010 and was diagnosed with an extremely rare virus called viral myositis with rhabdomyolysis. Ethan spent 31 days at Dayton Children’s. During this time he was unable to walk and had to be placed on dialysis. He spent 19 of those days in the pediatric intensive care unit fighting for his life. Thanks to the doctors at Dayton Children’s and a strong faith, Ethan’s body was able to fight off his virus. After going through physical therapy, Ethan was able to walk out of Dayton Children’s and return to his normal life.
• Katie Hollingsworth, 16, from New Paris was diagnosed with acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) when she was 14. AML is a form of leukemia that is not very common in children and has only 40 percent survival odds. Katie began seeing Dr. Broxson and underwent five rounds of chemotherapy. She faced a number of other complications throughout her treatments which required her to stay in the pediatric intensive care unit at Dayton Children’s. Today Katie is in remission from her cancer and is a happy and energetic teenager.
• Awo Onwudiwe, 11, from Dayton was born with sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder in which red blood cells (RBCs) which are normally round and flexible, are sticky, hard and shaped like crescent moons. Due to her sickle cell, Awo often experiences a lot of pain in her joints and bones. Awo sees Dr. Dole in the hematology and oncology clinic at Dayton Children’s. Despite her illness, Awo has a very positive outlook on life and doesn’t let her sickle cell slow her down.
• Justin Skinner, 16, from Kettering was born with spina bifida, a birth defect that involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord or its coverings. Since birth Justin has had over thirty surgeries and has seen 14 different specialties at Dayton Children’s. Even though his condition has required him to be on crutches or in a wheelchair, Justin is still extremely active. He has tried almost every sport that he could including soccer and baseball, but his real love is basketball. He also plays the French horn in his school’s band.

Donations can still be made online at www.childrensdayton.org/donate.

For more information, contact: 

Grace Rodney 

Marketing Communications Specialist 

Phone: 937-641-3666 

marketing@childrensdayton.org