At three-years-old, Ryan Caney developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, impacting his ability to stand and walk. Thanks to the quick diagnoses and treatment of the team at Baystate Children’s Hospital, Ryan is strong and walking on his own today.
Hattie Avigliano also spent the first months of her life in the Davis NICU at Baystate Children’s Hospital, arriving in the world 3 ½ months early, and fighting for her life.
Evie Dedrick was born prematurely, spending her first days in the Davis NICU, and then relied on care for respiratory challenges at Baystate Children's Hospital.
These children and their families will share their miraculous stories of surviving and thriving during the 23rd annual 94.7 WMAS Radiothon for Baystate Children's Hospital.
How to Listen
Tune in to 94.7 WMAS for two days on March 5 and 6 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to hear the live broadcast of Radiothon.
94.7 FM WMAS on-air personalities, led by the Kellogg Krew of Chris and Dina, will fill both days with encouraging stories. Listeners will also get to know the professional team from Baystate Children’s Hospital, who care for their kids, their grandkids, and their neighbor’s kids.
Why Donate?
Baystate Children's Hospital counts of the support of its donors to provide children from around the region with high-quality care.
Last year over $302,674 was raised and Vice President of Philanthropy and Executive Director of Baystate Health Foundation Scott Berg noted the entire Radiothon team is “counting on the community to help raise even more for local kids this year.”
Baystate Children’s Hospital is one of 170 fundraising Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are unique in that 100% of all money raised locally goes directly to Baystate Children’s Hospital in Springfield in support of children’s health programs and services.
How to Donate to Radiothon
The public is encouraged to call, stop by, or go online to donate. On March 5-6, donors can call to donate via the Lia Auto Group Phone Bank at 413-794-1111 or stop by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame from 6 am to 6 pm to drop off their donation. At any time before or during the event, donors are welcome to go to online and donate.
This free, family-friendly event is open to the public. Join the fun and stop by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame between 6 am and 6 pm on March 5 and 6! You will have a chance to walk on the red carpet and get a sneak peek of the Kellogg Krew broadcasting live from 94.7 WMAS.
“Whether in person, over the phone or online, your generous pledges support the true heroes of the only comprehensive, accredited children’s hospital in western Massachusetts. Uplifting and hope-filled stories from our many miracle children, their families and caregivers will help you understand how important your support is to kids right here in our community,” said Berg.
To make an online donation today, click here.
For more information, email the event manager, Heather Clark.
Become a Miracle Maker
To take part in the Miracle Maker program by calling in and pledging $20 or more a month. You can also sign up to become a Miracle Maker online.
Set up your own Radiothon fundraiser
Create your own fundraising page for Radiothon and encourage friends and family to donate.
A Legacy of Helping Others
The Baystate Health Foundation hosted the first 94.7 WMAS Radiothon for Baystate Children’s Hospital in 2002.
Ever since, Baystate Health has worked with the community to help children in need of quality care.
2023
Back in person after a two-year hiatus, the 94.7 WMAS Radiothon broke fundraising records, with donations totaling more than $300,000. In a new location at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, attendees were able to see the live broadcast with the Kellogg Krew at 94.7 WMAS, enjoy a red carpet photo opportunity, and be part of the excitement of making a difference for local kids.
2022
With COVID surges continuing, the event was held virtually once again and raised more than $226,926.
2021
In order to keep participants safe, the event was held virtually and raised more than $251,679.
2020
Despite the start of the pandemic, the community was able to raise more than $226,877.
2019
The 18th annual 94.7 WMAS Radiothon for Baystate Children’s Hospital raised $263,965.57 to support pediatric patient care during its two-day run, March 5-6, 2019. This surpassed 2018’s total by more than $18,000.
“We’re so grateful to everyone that supports this event – from the volunteers and sponsors to the patients and families who share their stories,” shared Briana LaChappelle, manager of fundraising events for Baystate Health Foundation. “It’s incredible what we can make possible when we all come together.”
2018
“Baystate Children’s Hospital saved our child’s life,” said Kate and Doug Poole in unison.
When Kate gave birth to their daughter, Olivia Jane Poole on March 11, 2016, they expected a healthy little bundle of joy. Instead, Olivia was born with multiple birth defects, the result of a disorder called VACTERL association, which affects many body systems.
Born at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, Olivia was immediately transferred to the area’s only Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Baystate Children’s Hospital in Springfield. Over the course of a year, while in the NICU and after she was discharged, Olivia underwent some seven operations to correct the birth defects, which Kate said were “thankfully fixable.”
Olivia’s story was just one of many amazing stories of courage and hope that was heard during the 17th 94.7 WMAS Radiothon to benefit Baystate Children’s Hospital, broadcasted live from Baystate Medical Center on March 6-7.
2017
Listeners to 2017's 94.7 WMAS Radiothon raised $233,562 on March 7 and 8.
They heard a number of stories about our "miracle" children like Brendan McDonald.
During a routine ultrasound, Brendan's parents learned that their son was going to be born with a significant congenital heart defect. Brendan was diagnosed with L-TGA, VSD (L-Type Transposition of the Great Arteries and a Ventricular Sepal Defect). Essentially, he was born with a hole in his heart, and his heart ventricles and arteries were reversed.
Within the first months of his young life, Brendan went into heart failure and was rushed to Baystate Children’s Hospital where he was cared for by his pediatric cardiologist team. He underwent open-heart surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital at the age of four months and returned to Baystate Children’s Hospital for care following complications from his surgery. Throughout his childhood, Brendan continued to experience heart arrhythmias and be monitored by his Baystate Health doctors and a specialists.
Watch a video of Brendan and Sam
More stories heard in 2017:
- 16-year-old Mia Gasperini's battle with Myasthenia Gravis
2016
Generous donors pledged a record-breaking total of $343,377 during the 15th Annual 94.7 WMAS Radiothon, which ran March 3-5.
Dr. Charlotte Boney, chair of Pediatrics at Baystate Children’s Hospital at the time, noted the 94.7 WMAS Radiothon is a “tremendous showcase for the care that Baystate Children’s Hospital gives to the children in our community.”
During the Radiothon, people heard stories, one of them being how Morgan “Momo” Morris thrived as a spunky 7-year old following her 2011 diagnosis of Acute lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Momo received multiple blood transfusions, bone marrow biopsies and rounds of chemotherapy at Baystate Children’s Hospital.
At the end of the three-day Radiothon, officials announced that Momo would serve as the next Massachusetts Children’s Miracle Network Champion – representing the state at events that include congressional visits in Washington, D.C. and national media exposure.
More stories heard in 2016:
- Ryan treated in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Baystate Children’s Hospital for the worst case of asthma doctors had seen in several years
2015
Generous donors pledging their support of Baystate Children’s Hospital resulted in a record-breaking total of $325,465 raised during the 14th Annual 94.7 WMAS Radiothon which ran March 5-7.
Listeners heard emotional stories like that of Joe.
Four days after the birth of their son at Baystate Medical Center, Harold and Kristin Coles learned Joe had mosaic Down syndrome. He also had a blood disorder called transient myeloproliferative disorder which is found almost exclusively in newborn babies with Down syndrome.
At age two, Joe was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia, which involved an aggressive treatment plan including chemotherapy lasting 72 consecutive treatments. It was during his care at Baystate Children’s Hospital that his appendix also burst, sending him into emergency surgery.
One of the highlights of the 2015 Radiothon was a tribute to the late Cory Garwacki, 27, who passed away in October 2014 after a lifelong battle with short gut syndrome. Garwacki was a longtime advocate and fundraiser for Baystate Children’s Hospital.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno proclaimed Thursday, March 5, as “Cory Garwacki Day.” A beautiful Boston rocker inscribed with his name stood empty at the Radiothon, where each year Garwacki took an important place at the microphone.
More stories heard in 2015:
- Eibhlinn White shares her cancer story
2014
During 2014’s Radiothon, sponsors and listeners pledged $254,341 in support of local health care programs for children at Baystate Children’s Hospital.