Around 65 pediatric patients were celebrated by the aid organization charged with organizing supports and awareness for 170 children’s hospitals all over North America during a fund raising event that raised almost $20,000 with a view of over 341,000. At the peak of the 2nd hour of the Live-athon, there was a $10,000 donation contest by Love’s Travel Stops, a longtime partner of the organization to encourage donations.
The President and CEO of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, John Lauck, in his speech said pediatric kids from across United States and Canada that serve as representatives for the hospital’s cause are all recognize every year. He explains that the hospital, for the first time was able to invite the universe to share in the excitement and liveliness of such moment. According to Lauck, it was easy for viewers to engage with the children and also support them with donations.
Well known in the 1980s & 90s for its brand telethons- long hours TV broadcast soliciting for charity support, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals went back to its base with Facebook live during the #ChildrensHospitalsWeek. Facebook live is among the top newest means of engaging viewers in real time especially with its newly developed ‘Donate for charity’ feature which creates awareness on the dependence of children hospitals on charity aids to provide for healthcare for children.
Every pediatric patient representing each state of the United States and Canada reached a platform to be recognized one after another. While some were recognized while walking using an Upsee harness (8 y/o Logan Parker –Texas) others while upturned (9 y/o Emma Duffin from Connecticut) and another while dancing (15 years old Zion Thomas from South Carolina). 17 years old Isaiah Acosta of Phonenix, Arizona who can’t speak because he has no jaw from birth did “Oxygen to Fly” with Trap House. Isaiah Acosta recently became popular along the rapper that sang his lyrics after the gig was shared on SXSW, Upworthy and many social platforms with millions of viewers.
The gig was featured in a short video produced by Cannon, the charity longtime associate. Cannon, suffering from Lupus has been able to relate well with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals pediatric children because of his condition, demonstrating to them that one can achieve success even with a chronic condition. Participants in the Live-athon includes Radio Disney star; Alli Simpson, legendary NFL quarterback; Steve Young, 2017 Miss America; Savvy Shields as well as John Schneider and Marie Osmond; cofounders of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.