First Annual Cure the Kids Radiothon surpasses all expectations, raises $110,000
January 30, 2007ASHEVILLE – The inaugural Cure the Kids Radiothon, held this past weekend to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, was a stunning success, raising more than $110,000. The entertaining and informative broadcast on Asheville’s KISS Country 99.9 FM also brought thousands of radio listeners in touch with the lives and life experiences of families dealing with childhood brain tumors.
Both parents and children were featured on radio interviews during the 30-hour event, which was held Jan. 26 and 27 at the Asheville Mall. Joining them were brain tumor researchers, clinicians, Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy, business leaders, volunteers and Foundation staff members led by Development Director Aggie Alexander. Radio listeners made contributions along with donors from 10 states and Iraq who tuned in via the internet. “The way the community and businesses came together to raise money to fight this most devastating of childhood diseases is a testament to the generosity and compassion of western North Carolinians,” said Alexander. “And reaching people on the other side of the world just made it that much more special.”
Drew Montgomery, who with his Kiss Country morning show partner, Chuck Marsh, spent two grueling days in front of the microphone convincing listeners to donate, called the event an “unbelievable” experience. “The response from the Asheville community and beyond was incredible. I’ve always loved working in radio, but hearing those phones ring and watching the tote-board numbers grow made last weekend one of the most rewarding 30 hours I’ve spent on the air.”
Donations continue to come in, but as of Tuesday, Jan. 29, the total amount raised had topped $110,277, and a new source of funding for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. The success of the radiothon, coupled with expectations for a record-setting year in 2007 in the national Ride for Kids® events, ensures the PBTF will be able to continue to serve the patient community and advance its expansive pediatric brain tumor research program.
In addition to Drew and Chuck, sincere gratitude is also due to the radiothon’s premier sponsor, Beverly-Hanks & Associates, other supporting sponsors and local businesses whose staff served as vital volunteers, including Wachovia, Charter Communications, the Asheville Mall Chick-Fil-A, Dixon-Hughes, Biltmore Press, Lenny’s Sub Shop, Earth Fare, Progress Energy, Parsec Financial Management, The Tarrants Agency-Allstate, Bank of America and the Asheville Renaissance Hotel.
The PBTF also extends special thanks to Janet Cloyde, Director of Operations for Charter Communications and Chair of the Radiothon Committee, who worked tirelessly to pull the event together. Donations can still be made through the Foundation online donation page at curethekids.org. Any amount will help make a difference in the lives of the estimated 3,400 children who will be diagnosed with a brain tumor this year.
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
302 Ridgefield Ct.
Asheville, NC 28806
828-665-6891
800-253-6530
828-665-6894 (fax)
e-mail: info@www.pbtfus.org
website: http://www.pbtfus.org
All materials of the the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States and Ride for Kids® contained herein or elsewhere are copyrighted ©. Send all correspondence concerning the website to webmaster@www.pbtfus.org.
