Children’s Miracle Network Telethon is June 4-5
The 32nd Annual Children’s Miracle Network Telethon benefiting Penn State Health Children’s Hospital will air on Saturday, June 4 from 2 to 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 5 from 2 to 6 p.m. on WGAL-TV8.
Children’s Miracle Network funds critical patient care, ground-breaking research and life-saving equipment at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. During this year’s telethon, viewers will be encouraged to make a donation by calling 1-877-543-7365 or visiting PennStateHersheyCMN.org. The telethon fundraising goal is $250,000.
State-of-the art pieces of equipment were recently purchased to help children with eye conditions that result from extreme prematurity, child abuse or various diseases.
Retcam is a high resolution camera for the inside of the eye that allows doctors to diagnose and follow many serious eye conditions such as glaucoma, retinal degeneration and retinopathy or prematurity. The machine can be wheeled to the operating room and neonatal and pediatric intensive care units to diagnose a patient during surgery or at the bedside.
“Having the most up-to-date equipment allows us to deliver the best care possible. It has been an honor to have such tremendous support from Children’s Miracle Network donors. We are able to take better care of kids because of it.” -Dr. Ajay Soni, pictured using a retcam
An operating microscope is used by surgeons during cataract or glaucoma surgery to obtain the best possible view so that they can perform surgeries safely and with the greatest precision.
Throughout the telethon broadcast, patients who have been treated at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, their families and hospital staff will be interviewed. Local businesses and community groups will also present checks for money raised for Children’s Miracle Network over the past year. At the conclusion of the telethon, Children’s Miracle Network will announce the total money raised for the 2015-2016 fundraising year. Viewers are also encouraged to share their own miracle stories at here and on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #MiraclesISee.
Two children who will be featured during this year’s broadcast include:
Deven Jackson, age 12, of Shermansdale, Perry County. Deven’s legs were amputated below the knee due to bacterial meningitis. With the help of the hospital’s rehabilitation team, a pair of running blades and Deven’s own determination, he achieved his dream of playing football again. Deven also hopes to be in the Paralympics one day and win a gold medal for running.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEKsvRHUXa0]
Hailey Kehoe,age 15, of Red Lion, York County. Hailey was flown by Life Lion to Penn State Health Children’s Hospital after she suffered a life-threatening brain hemorrhage. Hailey’s favorite quote by an unknown author is “Never stop believing in hope because miracles happen every day.” This quote is the inspiration behind her telethon t-shirt design. This t-shirt will be given to donors who pledge $30 a month for at least 12 months or make a one-time gift of $360.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32ygmjLAgnE]
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