Greenville, NC –The 40th annual Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Celebration Broadcast, honoring the thousands of children treated at Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center this past year, raised an outstanding $1,278,873 to support pediatric care across eastern North Carolina, bringing the cumulative total raised to $35,680,524.
The telethon, which aired from May 31 to June 1, was produced by longtime CMN television partner WITN, highlighted emotional and inspiring stories of children who have overcome complex medical challenges thanks to the exceptional care received at Maynard Children’s Hospital. A special long-time donor and friend of Maynard Children’s Hospital provided a generous $100,000 match during the event, doubling gifts and doubling the impact for sick and injured children in eastern North Carolina.
“This year’s Celebration Broadcast was incredibly special, marking 40 years of support for Children’s Miracle Network and bringing together those who have made a difference,” said Elise Ironmonger, Director of Programs at the ECU Health Foundation.
“It was amazing to reflect on this journey and connect with our dedicated supporters. We also honored the generous businesses, community groups and individuals whose commitment will continue to save lives and bring hope to the children at Maynard Children’s Hospital.”
To commemorate 40 years of making miracles happen in eastern North Carolina, the event included many special acknowledgements to celebrate the milestone. Former WITN personalities throughout the years provided messages of encouragement and support while past miracle children provided updates on their journeys and how their lives were directly impacted by the generous donations from the telethon. Four loyal volunteers joined the celebration for their 40th time, attending all 40 telethons throughout the years: Fred Anderson, Debbie Austin, Vivian Bazemore and Diane Oakley. Another very special moment included an interview with Lillian Jones, who honored her late husband, Dick Jones, WITN personality and talent who hosted the very first telethon in 1986.
Funds raised during the Celebration Broadcast ensure that children from across the region have access to the highest quality care, advanced medical equipment and life-saving programs. Each dollar raised stays local to support pediatric services at Maynard Children’s Hospital.
Major sponsors once again demonstrated their generosity, with the following top contributors each giving at least $100,000:
- Speedway, part of 7-11, Inc: $209,647
- Jersey Mike’s Subs: $188,375
- Walmart and Sam’s Club: $153,672
- Music for Miracles Radiothon: $113,734
- Log A Load for Kids: $100,000
The following sponsors each made a significant impact with donations totaling over $25,000: Ace Hardware ($37,383), Panda Express ($32,035), Dance Arts Theatre ($28,876) and Extra Life ($26,345).
Coming through in a big way, the following organizations donated between $5,000-$20,000: Central Heating and Air Conditioning, Barbour Hendrick Honda of Greenville, Electric Cooperative of ENC, Dairy Queen, Ollies, Phi Mu, Pepsi/Minges Bottling Group, American Builders, Publix and Eastern Radiologists.
Finally, a big thanks to these generous donors who contributed between $1,000-$5,000: Miller & Friends Lemonade Stand, Grady White Boats, RE/MAX, Whistle Express Car Wash, Care-O-World, Baynor Inc, Ajay Ajmera, Arun Ajmera, Ricci Law Firm, Builder’s Discount Center, Harris, Creech, Ward & Blackerby PA, MSL Healthcare Partners, Stallings Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning, POPS Mart Fuels and Aldridge & Southerland.
The local CMN Hospitals fundraising program is staffed and supported by the ECU Health Foundation, the non-profit charitable corporation that serves as the custodian for all financial gifts and bequests to ECU Health. The ECU Health Foundation oversees allocation of all donated funds.
Since October 2024, the Books from Birth program, a partnership between Maynard Children’s Hospital and Book Harvest, has provided boxes of books to infants and their families, ensuring that reading routines become an integral part of a baby’s earliest days.
On Monday, June 2, Book Harvest staff and N.C. House Rep. Tim Reeder, MD, District 9, who secured funding for the project in the North Carolina State Budget last year, joined the Maynard Children’s Hospital team members to speak with recipients of the book boxes and hear feedback from nurses and child life specialists.
The partnership with Book Harvest aims to enrich the lives of families across eastern North Carolina by supplying books that encourage bonding and learning. Each family with a newborn baby discharged is offered a Books from Birth box, containing 10 board books, educational materials and a onesie, reinforcing the importance of literacy right from the start.
“Books are a powerful tool for connection, learning and development, and the Books from Birth program is giving families the resources to start that journey from day one,” said Tara Stroud, vice president of Women’s and Children’s Services at Maynard Children’s Hospital. “Our nurses and child life specialists see firsthand how these books help families bond with their babies, where parents cherish having stories to read during their hospital stay. This program is about setting a foundation for lifelong literacy and ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.”
Stroud said the nurses and child life specialists at the Children’s Hospital are the program’s biggest advocate.
“I love how inclusive the books are,” said Don Sauls, a nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). “I’ve seen multilingual books; I’ve seen books that include sign language. It is very conducive to creating a welcoming and nurturing learning environment and facilitating that bond between parents and their baby and even siblings.”
Amanda and Blake – both elementary school teachers – are in the NICU with their baby and expressed how grateful they were to be able to add to their baby’s library.
“We started reading to her from the moment we found out we were expecting, and even Amanda’s mom would come and read books to her while she was still in the womb,” said Blake. “Just knowing those voices and hearing those stories helps build a foundation for learning, and we hope it will make her a strong reader, speller and learner one day. We’re incredibly thankful for the books and support we’ve received.”
With the Books from Birth program, ECU Health and Book Harvest are paving the way for a new generation of readers, ensuring that every baby’s first moments are accompanied by the power of stories.
“We are so uplifted by the partnership with Maynard Children’s Hospital to make sure every single newborn is starting their life with their own library,” said Ginger Young, chief executive officer, Book Harvest. “Literacy starts at birth, and early literacy is the key to building a foundation of literacy that will last a lifetime. To be able to send families home not only with their new bundle of joy, but also the start of their own home library, is the thing we dream about all the time.”
Since its launch at Maynard Children’s Hospital, the Books from Birth program has made significant progress in reaching families and fostering early literacy. From October 2024 to March 2025, more than 1,700 book boxes have been provided to newborn families. Families from 36 counties and three states have benefitted from the program. Additionally, 28 percent of the boxes have been provided to premature or medically complex infants, offering literacy support to some of the most vulnerable newborns.
“I recognized how important the program was to encourage reading, but to see how this hospital has embraced this vision and the impact on patients and families has been monumental,” said Rep. Reeder.
Greenville, N.C. –The Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Celebration Broadcast honors the legacy of past telethons by sharing powerful miracle stories of children treated at James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center. These stories represent the thousands of children across eastern North Carolina who have received exceptional care over the past year.
“I am so incredibly excited to be celebrating 40 years of miracles this year,” said Elise Ironmonger, Director of Programs for the ECU Health Foundation. “To see where we started in 1986 as the ‘Children’s Hospital of Eastern North Carolina’ to where we are now — a 197-bed hospital with a Level IV NICU and Level I Trauma Center — is just extraordinary.
Thousands of miracles happen here, and there’s so much to be proud of. I invite our community to tune in and witness these incredible stories. Help us change kids’ health to change the future for the next 40 years.”
The 2025 CMN Celebration Broadcast will air on longtime partner WITN at the following times:
- Saturday, May 31, from 7–8 p.m.
- Sunday, June 1, from 6–9 a.m. and 7–11 p.m.
Throughout the broadcast, viewers will see firsthand how donations to the Children’s Miracle Network are used to fund critical care and services. These examples will highlight the life-changing impact of every philanthropic gift.
This year’s miracle children and stories will include:
- Alejandro Mendoza-Hernandez, Age 14 – Beaufort County
- Owen Tripp, Age 1 – Pitt County
- Graylon Goddard, Age 8 – Pitt County
- AiTayvion Nelson, Age 4 – Pitt County
- Insley Santifort, Age 4 – Duplin County
- Christopher Everette, Age 2 – Hertford County
The 2025 broadcast will spotlight the exceptional care delivered each day at Maynard Children’s Hospital while celebrating the hope and healing made possible by generous community support. Thanks to donors across eastern North Carolina, thousands of children receive the specialized medical care they need each year. With continued support, the team at Maynard Children’s Hospital can ensure every child receives the best care possible — today, tomorrow and for generations to come.
The local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraising program is staffed and supported by the ECU Health Foundation, a non-profit charitable corporation that serves as the custodian for all financial gifts and bequests to ECU Health. The ECU Health Foundation oversees allocation of all donated funds. To donate, please call 1-800-673-5437 or visit givetocmn.com.
When Rawlings Warren was born in December of 2024, she seemed like a healthy baby. Lacey and Ross Warren took their daughter home from the hospital to begin their life as a family of three, but at 12 days old, Rawlings began to show signs of not feeling well. By Jan. 3, Lacey knew something wasn’t right, and she and Ross took Rawlings to the ECU Health Emergency Department (ED). “We thought we’d get some medications and be sent home,” Lacey recalled. “But that ED visit turned into a 27-day stay in the hospital.”
Rawlings was transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in ECU Health Maynard Children’s Hospital, where she received quick and comprehensive care. “As a first-time mom, I was scared to death. No one knew what was wrong, and we were terrified,” Lacey said. What turned that day around were the nurses on the PICU team, one of whom was Corbin Martin, a staff nurse III.
“Ross and I had stepped out of the room for a minute, and when we walked back in, Corbin was singing You are My Sunshine to Rawlings. We knew we were in the right place, and they were going to take care of our baby,” Lacey affirmed. “First-time parents spending the first weeks of their child’s life in the hospital can be an all-too-common story for our unit,” shared Corbin. “I connected with the Warrens through laughter to bring a lightness to their dark time.”
What Lacey, Ross and the PICU team didn’t know but eventually discovered was that Rawlings was born with a late onset bloodstream infection. That infection turned into sepsis, with additional diagnoses of meningitis, failure to thrive and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). “You have this 13-day old, and you can’t ask her what’s wrong,” Lacey said. “Finding out what was going on was the main thing, and the PICU team did everything they could to find that out.” Candace Guy, a staff nurse IV in the PICU, recalled the experience: “They were going through one of the most difficult things in their lives, and there was some uncertainty at the beginning of what the treatment plan would be, but the family was never unkind to us even though they were understandably frustrated. You can’t not be friends with them, and they are great parents.”
During their stay, Lacey said either she or Ross were at Rawlings’ bedside every minute. “We took shifts,” she said. “One of us would go home to take a shower and do a load of laundry, and then the other one would go. We were there 24/7, and these people became our family.” Lindsi Ahern, a nurse practitioner who responded to Rawlings’ Rapid Response and facilitated her transfer to the PICU, witnessed the Warren’s dedication. “They are so special to our team!” she said. “They quickly became great advocates for their child and a vital part of our team in caring for Rawlings. As a mom, I cannot imagine going through what they did in their child’s first month of life, and they did it with grace.”
Jonanna McGee, a staff nurse III, reinforced that feeling. “The family was very good at communicating with our team members, and it made it easier for us to advocate for Rawlings because we could speak to her and the family’s wishes,” she said. “They truly trusted our judgement and that formed a deeper relationship.”
The PICU team made sure the Warrens felt more comfortable during their daughter’s hospital stay, often in unexpected ways. “They would come in and talk to us, just to say hello,” Lacey recalled. “They always asked us what we needed, even in the middle of the night. If we cried, a nurse was there to cry with us. When the doctor came in, we’d hold our breath, but she would talk to us about dinner, books or whatever. We have a whole new set of friends.”
She also appreciated the staff’s concern about her own needs as a freshly postpartum mom. “There was never a day a nurse didn’t ask how I was doing postpartum,” she said. “They were the sweetest people,” said Dr. Anna Hamanjian, one of the attendings who cared for Rawlings during her stay. “Being a new mom and postpartum and being scared to death because their newborn was having all these issues – I can’t imagine. The most heartbreaking thing Lacey said was hearing about other new moms complaining about late nights or feeding, and she just wanted to be home and do those normal things. But even when they were frustrated, they were understanding.”
The team also did little things that, to Lacey and Ross, meant everything. “It snowed during our stay, and the team made sure we got to take Rawlings outside to see the snow. She was 20 days old, but it was important to us, and they made it happen.” Lacey also recalled that when the team learned about her and Ross’s tradition of going to Chicos every Friday night, a tradition now upended by Rawlings’s hospitalization, the PICU team ordered Chicos takeout. “These people who didn’t know us were picking up on things we were missing out on and bringing joy to a scary situation,” Lacey said. “They did it because their hearts are big and the have so much love to give.”
Another resource for the Warrens was their child life specialist, Chelse Smith. Certified child life specialists provide support and resources to help decrease the stress and anxiety of a hospital stay for children and their families, and they work alongside the medical team to meet the mental, emotional and social needs of the patients and their families. “Chelse was assigned to us in the PICU, and she is a gift from above,” Lacey said.
“I was able to build a relationship with the Warrens through conversation – although nurses and doctors rotate shifts, a child life specialist is a constant at the bedside,” Chelse said.
During those conversations, Chelse learned about the Warrens, including that their beloved golden retriever had recently passed away. “We are dog people,” Lacey laughed. “Our golden retriever died just before Rawlings was born, and that’s the theme of her nursery.”
“I was able to decorate Rawlings’s room with items similar to her nursery theme to provide normalization. We took several pictures of Rawlings and her family throughout her admission and I posted those pictures in the room,” Chelse said. Chelse is also the secondary handler for the hospital’s facility dog, Sam.
“Sam was a huge part of coping and support for Lacey and Ross,” Chelse said. “When we found out that Sam likes to sit in laps, that was great,” Lacey shared. “We now have a stuffed animal version of Sam in Rawlings’s nursery. It’s those little things that truly helped us in ways we can’t explain.”
Chelse also realized through her conversations with the Warrens that Rawlings hadn’t had her newborn photos taken yet, something that had been planned the day she went to the ED. “We have a program called Little Wishes that grants patients a wish during their hospitalization,” Chelse explained. “Lacey and Ross talked about missing out on normal baby milestones, including a newborn shoot.” So, Chelse arranged for the photo shoot to come to the hospital. “I got to be there every step of the way and celebrate the small wins.”
When Rawlings was discharged, Lacey and Ross couldn’t forget the compassionate care their family received, which is what prompted Lacey to invite the PICU team to Tie Breakers in Greenville a few months later. “We weren’t going to let them go,” she said. “They saved our baby’s life. The staff doesn’t get to always see what happens to their patients after they leave, and it was important to them see that we now have a healthy baby. They deserve to see the good side of things.”
The PICU team enjoyed seeing the Warren family again, including a healthy Rawlings. “It was so special to see both Lacey and Rawlings outside the hospital; to hear that she was thriving at home was heartwarming,” said Lindsi. “It’s nice when you can make those kinds of connections with families,” Candace reiterated. “We couldn’t wait to see the Warrens again,” Corbin said. “When we arrived, it was so refreshing to see Rawlings growing, off all her medications, and just being a healthy baby. We also got to see Lacey being a mom and finally ‘breathing’ as a first-time mom. It just validates why we do what we do – seeing a healthy, happy baby with her mother thriving and no longer needing our intensive services is rewarding.”
None of that would have been possible without the high-quality care Rawlings received while in the PICU. “When I think of what we get families through – it’s incredible,” Dr. Hamanjian said. “From the shortest admission to the kids who are here for weeks or months, we work together to communicate and advocate in the patient’s best interest. Everything we do is for the kids, and that’s what I love about working here.”
“We love our patients hard, and we love our team hard,” Candace added. “We’re super passionate about our patients and their families, and we are supportive of each other on our team. I’ve been here almost 20 years and the teamwork is strong here.” Lesley Smith, the PICU manager, spoke highly of the team. “We make an impact on patients, and they make a big impact on us,” she shared. “The Warrens are a prime example of how far our team goes for our patients and their families. It’s more than a nursing relationship – it’s genuine care.”
Lacey said now Rawlings is four months old and doing well. “She would not be here if not for the doctors and nurses in the PICU. Every single nurse, and I could name all of them, were all great. That’s why Ross and I are advocates for the PICU. They will forever be our friends because of how they treated us and continue to treat us.”
Blue and silver Pinwheels for Prevention adorned yards, clinics, daycares and other businesses in Greenville, eastern North Carolina and across the country throughout National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. The pinwheels, meant to represent childlike whimsy and lightheartedness, are a signature display during the month-long campaign to raise awareness around a difficult and important topic.
For team members and supporters at ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University’s Tender Evaluation, Diagnosis and Intervention for a Better Abuse Response (TEDI BEAR) and Mt. Olive Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs), the tireless effort to prevent child abuse in eastern North Carolina is a year-round endeavor.
“We’re proud and honored to do this work every single day,” said Noemi Rivera, director of TEDI BEAR & Mt. Olive Children’s Advocacy Centers.
“April helps us bring awareness and then we try to keep that energy throughout the year because the services provided at CACs are so important. Here at the TEDI BEAR and Mt. Olive centers, we’re constantly striving to meet the needs of patients and families across eastern North Carolina. I am incredibly proud of everyone involved in this service-driven work.”
The statistics around child abuse are sobering. It affects millions of children, leading to long-term emotional, psychological and physical harm. In eastern North Carolina, the TEDI BEAR and Mt. Olive centers serve nearly 1,000 children annually, providing free and confidential services in a child-friendly setting for victims of sexual abuse, severe physical abuse or children who are witnesses to violence.
Children turn to CACs in North Carolina with new allegations of abuse, seeking help and a way forward after the trauma of child abuse. CACs foster hope and facilitate healing for traumatized child victims of physical and sexual abuse, child-trafficking, neglect and exposure to drugs and violence.
“Evidence shows that the CAC model greatly improves outcomes for children and families that have experienced abuse,” said Deana Joy, executive director of Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Carolina (CACNC). “We are committed to developing, training and sustaining high-quality CACs and multidisciplinary teams so they can provide vital services in a coordinated manner to help victims of child abuse in more efficient and effective ways to optimize positive outcomes.”
The services provided within the walls of the CACs – which are considered safe havens for children who have experienced abuse – are multidisciplinary and include close collaboration with clinicians, support staff, law enforcement and other community-based groups who all share a vision of providing compassionate care during extremely difficult situations. The services include child advocacy, a forensic interview, a medical examination and therapy, if needed. The medical examination identifies any signs of physical trauma, ensures that any lab work or other tests are performed and evaluates the child’s overall health. TEDI BEAR also offers therapists whose special training in child abuse allows them to help victims and family members to resolve the trauma and move forward in their recovery.
According to Bryant Gibson, coordinator of the Mt. Olive CAC, having a robust service offering requires close collaboration with other health care, law enforcement, education and community organizations, all committed to a vision of supporting children and families.
“To do all this, and to meet our collective vision, we have to build strong relationships in our community,” said Gibson during an April open house event at the Mt. Olive CAC. “And we absolutely do that here at Mt. Olive and at TEDI BEAR. Victims of abuse require a spectrum of compassionate services designed to help meet their unique needs. We can provide that caring and healing environment because we have so many people who support our efforts.”
District Attorney Ernie Lee, who serves Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson counties, has a close relationship with the Mt. Olive CAC and is a strong supporter of the CACs. He was one of the many guests at the open house event and praised the work of CAC team members, while also reflecting on what the work means from a purely human perspective.
“I’m not only a district attorney, I’m also a father,” Lee said. “My wife and I, we have two daughters and a son. So that’s a major part of my life. It’s very sad to know that abuse happens here and across the world to children, through no fault of their own. But there’s hope out there, and that hope comes from buildings like this here in Mount Olive.”
Resources
As of 2022, approximately 7.3% of children in North Carolina had asthma, according to the National Survey of Children’s Health data. Asthma’s symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and fatigue, correlates to underperformance and absence from school, difficulty sleeping, long-term structural changes to the lungs, more frequent visits to the emergency department (ED) and more hospital admissions. For parents, the worry of managing their child’s symptoms, as well as the strain on finances and work, increases the burden of care. This is especially true in rural counties, where access to pediatricians and pulmonary specialists is limited. ECU Health’s Pediatric Asthma Program seeks to address these health disparities through a holistic approach, and the Roanoke-Chowan Foundation Grant has provided funding for more than 20 years that supports the program’s mission.
ECU Health’s Pediatric Asthma Program, established in 1995, has grown to provide targeted services in 29 counties across eastern North Carolina, including Bertie, Hertford, Gates and Northhampton. Emily Wood, and a respiratory care manager with the program, serves these rural counties by providing asthma education to children and their families, conducting school visits in collaboration with school nurses, giving out asthma supplies, conducting fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNo) or spirometry testing at regular intervals and providing medication support.
The way Wood ensures that happens is by meeting the kids and their parents where they are. “Transportation is a big issue in these areas,” she said.
“Parents have to take time off from work and lose income, and they may not have the means to get to a clinic if it’s 30 or more minutes away. Other counties have access to a primary care physician (PCP) clinic or a hospital, but here we don’t have that close by. We had three pediatricians but one just retired, and these kids must find somewhere else to go.”
Wood said she has worked with her team to secure new physicians for these displaced children so they keep up on their regular checkups. In the meantime, this shortage makes it all the more important for her to see these children virtually, at their homes or at their schools to bridge the gap. “Some of the kids with more severe cases I’ll have to follow more closely, since it’s hard for them to get into a PCP office,” she said.
“Emily knows this area, understands the patients’ unique needs and spends countless hours partnering with community stakeholders and fighting for the well-being of the patients and their families that she cares for,” said Sue Anne Pilgreen, manager of the Pediatric Asthma Program.
The Roanoke-Chowan Foundation, founded in 1997, has helped Wood and the program’s team achieve their objectives by providing grant support. The Foundation’s mission is to meet health and wellness needs of the Roanoke-Chowan communities in Bertie, Hertford, Gates and Northampton counties through grants, and since 1998, the Foundation has given more than $15.2 million in more than 100 grants to local organizations, including ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital and the ECU Health Wellness Center – Ahoskie. This year, the Foundation granted the Pediatric Asthma Program nearly $65,0000.
ECU Health’s Pediatric Asthma Program has received grant funding from the Foundation for more than 20 years, without which, Wood said, she would not be able to provide her services to those counties. “The Foundation money eliminates barriers by allowing me to travel to patients’ homes, schools or meet with them virtually,” she said. It also allows her to provide customized services that meet the patients’ needs, including providing asthma supplies such as spacers, pillow and mattress encasements to reduce allergies and asthma-friendly cleaning supplies.
That’s a big deal, because when a child with asthma has an exacerbation, the only option for some families is to call an ambulance and go to a hospital – an added cost of money and time the families often can’t afford. Wood said she can often catch issues in their early stages and keep kids out of the hospital or even the doctor’s office. “There’s a high level of low income in this part of the state, and these are the patients who would otherwise fall through the cracks,” Wood said. “This funding allows me to do testing and check in on the kids. It’s important to make sure they have what they need.”
“For many years, the Roanoke-Chowan Foundation grant has provided funding that has played a pivotal role in meeting the pediatric needs for children living in Hertford, Gates, Bertie and Northampton counties,” Pilgreen added. “These are some of our most rural areas and having a dedicated respiratory care manager for those counties, and the funds to provide children with the supplies they need to better manage their symptoms, has been a game changer. Our partnership with the Foundation helps me breathe a little easier, because I know the board members genuinely care about their region and will do whatever it takes to ensure the health and wellness of the children living there.”
Resources
Pediatric Asthma Program
Maynard Children’s Hospital
Allergy & Asthma Services
Greenville, N.C. – Listeners across eastern North Carolina tuned in to make an incredible impact during the 28th annual “Music for Miracles” radiothon, raising $113,734 in support of the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center, which serves pediatric patients across a 29-county region. Since its inception in 1998, the radiothon has now raised over $4 million, directly enhancing the hospital’s programs and services.
“Year after year, I am deeply moved by the remarkable generosity of this community,” said Elise Ironmonger, director of programs for the ECU Health Foundation. “Their unwavering commitment to enhancing health care for children in eastern North Carolina is nothing short of inspiring. I also want to express my gratitude to the families who share their heartfelt stories with us. These children are true miracles, and it is a privilege to shine a spotlight on the exceptional care they have received at Maynard Children’s Hospital.”
This year’s radiothon aired on all Inner Banks Media radio stations, including 107.9, Talk 96.3 and 103.7, Oldies 94.1 and 102.7, and 94.3 The Game. All funds raised through Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospital events like the radiothon are allocated entirely to supporting programs and services at Maynard Children’s Hospital. These contributions help procure life-saving medical equipment, enhance educational opportunities for patients and staff, provide comforting resources for children and develop new, state-of-the-art facilities.
“I am so proud of another successful radiothon,” said Henry Hinton, president, Inner Banks Media. “I am amazed every year of the generosity of our listeners and to surpass $4 million over the years is really something we can all be proud of. There is no greater feeling of pride than helping to raise funds for this great hospital that cares for our children in eastern North Carolina. It is a great privilege for us to use our radio stations in this way.”
For those who missed the radiothon but would still like to contribute, donations can be made at www.GiveToCMN.com.
Greenville, N.C. – Radio listeners in eastern North Carolina have an opportunity to make a life-changing difference for hospitalized children during the 28th annual “Music for Miracles” radiothon. This two-day event will take place March 27-28 on 107.9 WNCT, along with Inner Banks Media’s other stations: Talk 96.3 and 103.7, Oldies 94.1 and 102.7, and 94.3 The Game. The funds raised through the radiothon will support the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center, which serves pediatric inpatient and outpatient needs across a 29-county region in eastern North Carolina.
“The Radiothon stands out as one of our most significant annual events, and we are incredibly thankful for the unwavering commitment of the team at 107.9 WNCT and Inner Banks Media,” said Elise Ironmonger, director of programs, ECU Health Foundation.
“Broadcasting live for 12 hours over two consecutive days is no small feat, and it’s supported by extensive preparation and behind-the-scenes efforts. This event wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration of hospital leaders, team members, and, most importantly, the brave miracle children and their families who share their heartfelt stories. We encourage everyone to tune in and be inspired by the incredible impact taking place every day at Maynard Children’s Hospital.”
Since its inception in 1998, the event has raised over $3.9 million, all of which goes directly to enhancing the programs and services of Maynard Children’s Hospital. These funds help purchase life-saving medical equipment, support patient and team member education, provide diversionary items to comfort children and normalize the hospital experience and contribute to building new state-of-the-art facilities.
“Once again, we are thrilled to have the radiothon on all our IBX Media stations to raise funds for James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital. It’s the highlight of our year to support the children’s hospital,” said Henry Hinton, president, Inner Banks Media. “I’ve personally had a grandson who needed care there, and it is a true blessing for all of eastern North Carolina to have it here. We’re looking forward to two exciting days and hope everyone will participate as they are able.”
Listeners can tune in to 107.9 WNCT to enjoy 12 hours of live broadcasts from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both March 27 and 28, with additional segments airing intermittently across other Inner Banks Media stations. To support this vital cause, please call 1-800-673-5437 or visit www.GiveToCMN.com.
Resources
ECU Health is advancing pediatric surgical care in eastern North Carolina by introducing robotic-assisted surgery, a cutting-edge approach that enhances precision, improves outcomes and expands minimally invasive options for children in the region.
Dr. Courtney Harris, a pediatric surgeon at ECU Health, recently performed the health system’s first pediatric robotic-assisted cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal).
“Robotic surgery is still relatively new in pediatric care, and it offers significant advantages for both surgeons and patients,” said Dr. Harris. “The enhanced range of motion, improved precision and advanced imaging technology allow for a more refined approach, leading to better outcomes.”
Robotic-assisted procedures enhance precision with robotic arms that offer wrist-like movement. This technology provides greater dexterity, similar to open surgery, while preserving the benefits of a minimally invasive approach.
With extensive experience in robotic procedures, Dr. Harris has collaborated closely with Dr. Shannon Longshore, the division chief of pediatric surgery and medical director of the pediatric trauma program at ECU Health Medical Center, and the surgical team to bring this technique to ECU Health.
“Bringing this technology to ECU Health means we can offer our youngest patients the latest advancements in surgical care right here in eastern North Carolina,” said Dr. Longshore. “We’re excited about the possibilities this opens up for pediatric surgery and are committed to expanding access to these innovative procedures.”
Robotic-assisted surgery builds on the strengths of traditional laparoscopic techniques, offering enhanced precision and efficiency, with some procedures completed more quickly. The technology reduces physical strain on surgeons, supporting long-term physician wellness. Both techniques offer similar incision sizes and recovery times.
“The introduction of pediatric robotic surgery at ECU Health marks a significant step forward in expanding minimally invasive surgical options for children,” said Tara Stroud, vice president of Women’s and Children’s Services, James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center. “ECU Health continues to drive innovation in pediatric surgical care, ensuring that children in the region have access to the highest quality treatments available.”
ECU Health’s Pediatric Asthma Program, which started in 1995, aims to reduce emergency department (ED) and inpatient admissions for children with asthma, decrease school absenteeism and increase the quality of life for asthmatic children in eastern North Carolina. One of the key ways it accomplishes these goals is through partnerships with eastern North Carolina public schools.
The program serves 29 counties in eastern North Carolina, many of which include rural areas. Contracts with schools are established so that members of the program’s team can perform asthma tests, communicate with parents, connect with primary care physicians and help ensure kids have access to and are compliant with their medications.
Bailey Edwards, RRT, a respiratory care manager with the program, works with students from elementary age to high school. She’s worked with DF Walker Elementary School in Edenton, North Carolina for seven years, but recently the school hired a new school nurse.
Typically, Edwards works with the kids one at a time, but since school began in August, she has been trying out a different approach. “The nurse started grouping the kids with asthma together for our sessions,” she said. “They’re all in the same grade and even in the same class. They all know each other. Treating them together created a community for the kids, where they see they’re not alone with their challenges.”
During a session, Edwards listens to the child’s lung sounds and performs an assessment, including a fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) test, which determines how much lung inflammation is present and how well inhaled steroids suppress that inflammation. She also makes sure the kids have their medications at school, that the meds aren’t expired and they are using their spacer devices correctly. She always gets the kids to demonstrate their inhaler technique, too. “They’re kids,” she reminded. “They want to take their two puffs and go out and play, but we want to be sure they’re using the proper technique to get the correct amount of medication.”
An added bonus to the group sessions is that the kids help each other learn more about asthma and their treatments. “Kids can hear from their parents and the nurse and from me,” Edwards said. “But when they hear information from their friends, they tend to remember it. During our sessions, the kids are excited to show what they know. They are learning how to take care of themselves.”
Parents also have the consistency of getting the same information from multiple sources. “They hear from me and the nurse, and from their kids,” Edwards shared. “This is another piece of the puzzle with asthma because it changes from day to day. You can look great on a Tuesday and then be in the ED on Friday with a flare.” When parents are better informed about their child’s disease process and how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a flare, they know how to handle it.
As a result, Edwards said the kids at DF Walker Elementary have flourished. “During the fall these kids were sick with the flu and strep and their FeNO tests weren’t good, but they kept working at it and trucking along, and now they’re testing normally and are so proud of themselves,” she said.
The statistics bear this out; in the past fiscal year, the program has seen increases in both school nurse referrals and PCP referrals, a 17.7% increase in school visits and a 21% increase in hours spent in clinic visits. “We are working hard to increase community numbers in order to decrease the number of kids in the hospital,” Sue Anne Pilgreen, manager for the Pediatric Asthma and Eastern Carolina Injury Prevention programs, said.
“School nurses are one of our strongest partners and patient advocates,” Pilgreen continued. “Especially in our rural counties where transportation and other social determinants of health can be a barrier. This partnership cuts down on the barriers and offers a win-win solution for everyone.”