1997 Children's Miracle Network Telethon Raises Record Amount for Riley Hospital for Children

INDIANAPOLIS--Two firsts made this year's Children's Miracle Network Telethon one to remember for Riley Hospital for Children -- a record $3.5 million in donations and the addition of live broadcasts from the hospital.

The Children's Miracle Network Telethon raises money for 165 children's hospitals in 200 media markets throughout the United States and Canada. The 1997 national grand total for the Children's Miracle Network Telethon was $152,888,045. The money raised in each market from corporate and individual donors benefits the local hospital(s). Donations to Riley increased $400,000 from the 1996 telethon.

Major donations to Riley were from Indianapolis radio station WENS 97.1, which raised $300,000 during its second annual 97-hour radiothon, Kids Caring and Sharing, a group of more than 700 elementary and secondary schools from around the stqte, which raised $501,000, and Walmart/Sam's Club, which contributed $500,000. This was the second consecutive year that Kids Caring and Sharing raised more than half of a million dollars.

Making this year's local telethon coverage especially unique were the live broadcasts from Riley Hospital during the local portions of the telethon. WTHR - Channel 13, the local television sponsor, set-up a mini television studio in tghe lobby of Riley as well as remotes from various units in the hospital. As a result staff and families were a more integral part of the telethon broadcast.

WTHR news personalities Anne Ryder, John Stehr, Lis Daily and Bob Gregory were joined by Indianapolis talk show host Amos Brown, Randy Moore of WTVW - Channel 7 in Evansville, Jane Hersha of WPTA - Channel 21 in Fort Wayne, and Patrece Dayton of WTHI - Channel 10 in Terre Haute. TCI of Michiana broadcast the telethon in the South Bend area.

Riley Hospital for Children thanks every individual and organization that donated their time or money to make this year's telethon a success.

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