Radiothon Brings in Nearly $265,000 for the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital

The 26th annual News Radio 103.1 & 810 WGY and 99.5 The River Cares for Kids Radiothon raised nearly $265,000 for the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital, according to the Albany Medical Center Foundation.

All funds raised support programs and services provided by the children’s hospital, the only children’s hospital in the region and the local Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) hospital.

“Year after year, our community steps up and supports the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital through Radiothon, for which we are incredibly grateful,” said Barbara E. Ostrov, MD, Chief of Service at the children’s hospital and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics. “As the only children’s hospital in the region, we are proud to share our patients’ stories that depict the comprehensive care and compassion our doctors, nurses, and staff strive for every day. We couldn’t do it without the community’s support, along with the generosity of our sponsors and our devoted iHeartMedia partners.”

During the two-day event on May 2 and 3, several patients, family members, medical students, and health care workers shared stories about their experiences with the hospital, including children treated for congenital heart defects, cancer, emergencies, diabetes, and more.

“The doctors and nurses are life changing,” said Sheronda Lippitt of Troy, whose son Jared Spivey, 21, was diagnosed with sickle cell disease and has been getting care at the Melodies Center and children’s hospital since he was two years old. “They don’t just deal with blood disorders, they deal with quality of life…they give me hope!”

Participants were interviewed by on-air personalities Doug Goudie, Rachel Davis, Joe Gallagher, and Jaime Roberts from News Radio 103.1 & 810 WGY and Kevin Rush, Tracy Villaume, and Bob Hauer from 99.5 The River.

“iHeartMedia has continued its long-standing partnership with Albany Medical Center and the team at the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital to raise funds to support the children treated at the hospital, as well as their families,” said iHeartMedia Area President Howard Greiner. “All of us at iHeart love taking part in Radiothon and we are grateful to our listeners and the community that we have had another successful year.”