Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation teamed up with ABC15 for a one-day telethon. The event ran from 4:30am – 11pm on Wednesday, April 11 and raised a record-breaking $156,760 to support Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Arizona’s only licensed children’s hospital, providing world-class care for kids in more than 40 pediatric specialties.
ABC15 on-air personalities Amy Murphy, Connie Colla, Andi Barness, Kirk Yuhnke, Steve Irvin, Amber Sullins, Rebecca Thomas and Susan Casper broadcasted live throughout the day from the new patient tower on the hospital campus. Donors were asked to give by calling the live phone bank, going online to www.abc15.com or, stopping by any Walgreens. ABC15 coverage in News and programming included interviews with patient families, pediatric experts, community supporters and special guests.
“Not only did ABC15 exceed its ambitious goal of raising $100,000 in one day for Phoenix Children’s Hospital, they did a masterful and heartfelt job of telling our patient family stories,” said Steve Schnall, the hospital’s Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer. “I want to express our gratitude to the entire ABC15 team as well as our generous community.”
On hand to show their support were Mayor Stanton, the Diamondbacks Luis Gonzalez, fitness trainer and ABC star, Chris Powell, Cardinals players Nick Eason, David Carder and Isaiah Williams as well as Cardinals cheerleaders.
Many local companies stepped up and gave checks on-air while their employees staffed the phone bank, including sponsors Desert Schools Federal Credit Union, Jasper Air, Sanderson Ford and Zerorez Carpet Cleaning; as well as Arizona Central Credit Union, Art of Merlot, Carl’s Jr., First Credit Union, IHOP, McLane Sunwest, Sagicor Life Insurance Company, Scripps, Sleep America, Vemma, and Walgreens.
“Our first telethon benefiting Phoenix Children’s Hospital was a wonderful success,” said Anita Helt, ABC15 Vice President and General Manager. “We couldn’t have achieved our goal without the support of our corporate sponsors and caring community.”
ABC15 Telethon focused on many of the miracle stories happening each day at the hospital; as well as updates about Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s major expansion, which is bringing its special brand of family-centered care to even more patients and families. Every dollar raised will have a direct impact on patient care and critical programs and services, many of which are not covered by medical insurance.
