A chorus of ringing phones, inspirational stories, and upbeat music are familiar sounds for a team of volunteers supporting the annual Mix 106.5 Radiothon at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center.
The Mix 106.5 Radiothon is the largest single fundraiser for the Johns Hopkins Children's Center, this year raising $1,141,307.64, adding to the more than $30 million it has raised since the event began in 1989. The funds are used to purchase lifesaving medical equipment, fuel research, develop innovative tools and programs, and provide toys, books, games, and art supplies to patients to make their experience a little less frightening.
"I was really scared when I was rushed to the hospital and other kids, I bet they were scared, too," said former patient Sadie Schisler, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 4 years old. After a few nights at the Johns Hopkins Children Center in 2020, Sadie and her family learned how to manage her diabetes with the help of her care team. But they still come by for checkups every few months.
"Now it is our home away from home," said Megan Schisler, Sadie's mom.
The Schislers wanted to give back, volunteering their time. Megan wrote thank you cards to donors, while Sadie taught patients how to create friendship bracelets, "so they will be distracted and if they're going into surgery they won't be scared."
It's stories like Sadie's that keep so many volunteers from Johns Hopkins University and Medicine coming back year after year.
"You hear these stories, and you learn about these different facets of people's lives," said Melanie Nies, assistant professor of pediatric cardiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in between taking donations on the phone.
Administrative coordinator Tammy Airey has worked at the School of Medicine for nine years and has been volunteering every year since she started. Checking in radiothon volunteers is one of her favorite activities. "I get to see people from other parts of the Hopkins organization that come in to volunteer that I might not see on a regular basis," she says. "It makes me happy, and I really like having the experience with my colleagues."
For more stories about the families celebrated during Radiothon this year, visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/johns-hopkins-childrens-center/ways-to-give/meet-our-kids
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
