![\"Phone](\"https:\/\/www.upstate.edu\/images\/articles\/2020\/2020-02-26-radiothon.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe 17th<\/sup> annual Radiothon for Kids benefitting Upstate Golisano Children\u2019s Hospital will be broadcast live from the first-floor lobby of Upstate University Hospital 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 27 and 28.<\/p>\n The Upstate Foundation partners with iHeart Media and CNY Central for this annual fundraiser, which supports pediatric services and patient programs at the children\u2019s hospital. Proceeds from this year\u2019s radiothon will go toward the new Golisano Center for Special Needs.<\/p>\n Through the years, Radiothon for Kids has raised funds that support new equipment, comfort items, distraction toys, patient and family unmet needs, materials for the Family Resource Center, Safe Kids Upstate NY, research, educational training and the Child Life Program. The 2019 radiothon raised $250,000, which was a new record for the event.<\/p>\n Radiothon for Kids will be broadcast on Syracuse iHeart Radio stations Y94 and 570WSYR as well as on CNY Central TV stations with stories and testimonials from children and families about why they are grateful for Upstate Golisano Children\u2019s Hospital.<\/p>\n \u201cWe call them stories of hope and courage,\u201d said Toni Gary, of the Upstate Foundation. \u201cThey share their experiences with us to let other people know about all of the great things we\u2019re doing here at Upstate. Many of the families say they don\u2019t understand what we do here until they need our services themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n Upstate\u2019s new Golisano Center for Special Needs, which was announced last fall, will provide much-needed services to even more families throughout New York state.<\/p>\n \u201cThe center is very important to the community and we know it\u2019s greatly needed,\u201d Gary said. \u201cThe center will allow us to provide better care for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. It will help to increase the number of children served, decrease wait times, increase programming and consolidate vital services and areas of collaboration.\u201d<\/p>\n Countless people make radiothon a success every year. To coordinate 26 hours of live broadcast over two days takes tremendous cooperation and effort among the iHeartMedia Syracuse radio stations, CNY Central and Upstate, Gary said. Radio personalities will interview people, including Upstate leadership, throughout the day and CNY Central will be live during several of its broadcasts. Gary said she usually has at least 125 volunteers working throughout the event, many of whom are regulars each year.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of energy to the day,\u201d she said. \u201cI have volunteers who contact me way in advance so they can get a specific early time period. I\u2019m full at 5 a.m. with people who are friends of the Upstate Foundation and do this every year before they go on to work. It\u2019s incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n Patients and visitors will be able to see the phone banks and live broadcast happening, including radio personalities conducting interviews, as they enter the hospital.<\/p>\n Donations can be made online now and throughout the event by visiting\u00a0Radiothon For Kids\u00a0or by calling 315-464-5500 during the event. Donors can also text \u201cUpstateKids\u201d to 51555, which will direct users to the website. Learn more about the kids who will be featured on this year\u2019s broadcast and join the conversation during Radiothon for Kids on the\u00a0Upstate Golisano Children\u2019s Hospital Facebook,\u00a0The Upstate Foundation Facebook\u00a0or by following\u00a0@UpstateGolisano<\/a>\u00a0on Twitter and using the hashtag #UpstateKids and #Radiothon2020.<\/p>\n Sponsors for Radiothon for Kids include Stewart\u2019s Shops, Tops Friendly Markets, Honda City, Upstate Medical University Office of the President, AmeriCU, CPS Recruitment, Diana Jewelers, Driver\u2019s Village, Family Care Medical Group, Panera Bread, Peppino\u2019s Pizza, PressRoom Pub, Travel Leaders in Bayberry Plaza and Upstate University Hospital Department of Pediatrics.<\/p>\n For more information, contact the Upstate Foundation office at 315-464-4416.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n