Telethon raises $1.38 million
Monday, June 02, 2008

Children’s Hospital Telethon raises $1.38 million

25^th annual event generates record amount

 

NEW ORLEANS – The Gulf South region generously opened their hearts and wallets in support of the 25^th annual Children’s Hospital Telethon raising a record amount of more than $1.38 million.

            The final tote board showed $1,380,294 at the Telethon’s conclusion Sunday night; however, Children's Hospital has received additional pledges that have yet to be tallied, said Brian T. Landry, the hospital’s vice president of marketing,.

“We are continually humbled by the support we get across the Gulf South,” Landry said. “Considering people are stretching every dollar for basic needs like food and fuel, it speaks highly of the giving nature of our people. This is an amazing recognition that our community supports this hospital and the work we do.

“It’s been an amazing 25 years for the Telethon and the hospital,” he said. “We’re looking forward to next year when we can broadcast from our new Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Cardiac Care Unit, which Telethon donors are helping to build.”

Some of the money donated during the Telethon will be used toward the construction of Children’s Hospital’s new Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Cardiac Care Unit (CCU). The two units are currently sharing 25 beds, but to better serve our patients, the hospital is splitting the units so that each will have its own designated area in a larger space. Next spring the PICU, which serves patients, from birth to 21, with serious and life-threatening illnesses and those recovering from surgery, will move to a 9,456-foot suite on the 6^th floor. The unit will feature 18 beds, each in a private room. The new 8,193 square-foot CCU will be on the 1^st floor and will feature 20 beds, 10 in private rooms, for children – some just days old – who are recovering from heart surgery.

The 2008 Telethon exceeded last year’s total by almost $75,000. Since 1984, the annual event has brought in more than $17,433,067 to Children's Hospital.

“This could not have been accomplished without the collective efforts of Children’s Hospital’s staff, patients, families and volunteers, as well as WDSU NewsChannel 6,” said Roger Gorman, Children’s Hospital’s development director. “We again want to thank everyone who gave and participated in the Telethon for being part of our hospital’s largest fund-raiser. The Telethon would not have been such a huge success without them.”

 

About Children’s Hospital

Since its opening in 1955, Children's Hospital has continually offered the most advanced pediatric care. With more than 40 specialties, 200 beds and nearly 400 physicians, it is the only full-service hospital exclusively for children in Louisiana and the Gulf South. As a not-for-profit medical center, the hospital has no stockholders or dividends to pay. It is governed by an independent board of trustees made up of community volunteers. Revenue generated is used to operate the hospital and to expand and advance its services.

 

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