The Wolfson Children’s Challenge Telethon, an all-day telethon, will air live on TV 4 in partnership with media sponsor WJXT TV 4. It will be held today, Thursday, Jan. 19, from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Teams from the community will answer phones as gifts are called in. Among the volunteers will be Wolfson Children’s volunteers, local businesses, University of North Florida student groups and past patients and their families.
Wolfson Children’s patients will share inspiring stories during the telethon, some attending live with their families.
Gifts of all sizes are accepted. To make a donation, call 904-346-4630. This number will only be active the day of the telethon.
The Wolfson Children’s Challenge — a lineup of running events — was co-founded by Paul Wilson, whose newborn son, Luke, underwent surgery just hours after his birth. Wilson hoped to raise $5,000 by running 55 miles, the age of the hospital when his son was a patient.
Since then, the annual event has raised more than $4 million, which has been used in part to purchase leading medical technology such as the 3T MRI and convert an existing patient room on the oncology floor of Wolfson Children’s Hospital to an MIBG therapy room to better care for pediatric patients.
This year, the Wolfson Children’s Challenge event takes place on Jan. 28. All proceeds from the running event and the telethon will be used to purchase lifesaving equipment and to fund the technology support endowment.
The Wolfson Children’s Challenge features races for all levels, including a 55K Ultra, 30K Run, 55K Relay Race and 1-Mile Fun Run.
For more information about the event or to register online, go to WolfsonChildrensChallenge.com.
