Mississippi Miracles Radiothon raises nearly $300,000 for Children’s of Mississippi

The 25th Mississippi Miracles Radiothon raised $290,315 for Children’s of Mississippi, bringing together Children’s families, radio partners and generous donors to support the specialized care children need close to home.

Since the first Mississippi Miracles Radiothon in 2001, the annual event has raised $9 million to help provide lifesaving care, programs and services for children and families across Mississippi.

“Every dollar raised during Mississippi Miracles Radiothon represents someone choosing to invest in the health of Mississippi's children,” said Jen Hospodor, senior director of strategic partnerships at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. “We're deeply grateful to our Miracle Giving Club members, New South Radio, our community partners and everyone who donated. Their generosity helps ensure Children's of Mississippi can continue providing extraordinary care to children from every corner of our state.”

The annual event’s success is made possible through the partnership of New South Radio stations, whose on-air personalities share the stories of Children’s patients and encourage listeners to support the hospital’s mission. The event features personalities from nine New South Radio stations — US 96.3, Y101, Mix 98.7, Rock 93.1, and 93.5 The Legend from Jackson along with 97OKK, 95.1 The Beat, Kiss 104 and Q 101 from Meridian.

For Clay Holladay, owner of Digio Strategies, the stations’ involvement in Mississippi Miracles Radiothon is an extension of their role in the community.

“So many families in our community rely on our local radio stations for information, entertainment and support in times of need,” Holladay said. “We feel it is our duty to give back to the children of Mississippi who count on us and this hospital. Plus, our listeners and clients are so generous. With their help, we have raised $9 million over the years for Children’s of Mississippi.”

For families who have relied on the children’s hospital during some of their most difficult moments, Mississippi Miracles Radiothon is an opportunity to share their journeys, celebrate their children and help other families receive the same care.

For Jacqueline Brown, that journey began before her daughter, Lynleigh Grace, was even born.

A fetal sonographer, Brown noticed something unusual while performing an ultrasound during her pregnancy. After meeting with her care team, she learned her daughter had truncus arteriosus, a rare and life-threatening congenital heart defect that would require surgery and lifelong cardiac care.

“I’m a fetal sonographer, and while I was pregnant with Lynleigh, I was actually scanning myself,” Brown said. “She rolled a certain way, and I could tell her heart didn’t look like a normal heart.”

Through the children’s hospital, Lynleigh received specialized cardiac care, including two open-heart surgeries and multiple heart catheterizations. Today, she is a kindergartner who keeps up with children her age.

“You’d never look at her and know she’s had two open-heart surgeries and I don’t know how many heart caths,” Brown said. “She’ll outrun every young’un her age. She’s a little fighter for sure.”

Brown said her family’s experience showed her the importance of having the children’s hospital available when children need specialized care.

“People might not like going to hospitals and doctors’ offices, but Children’s is my heaven on earth because that place saved my baby,” Brown said. “That place is the reason that we got to bring her home.”

For Kristel Robinson, the impact of Mississippi Miracles Radiothon became personal in a way she never expected.

In 2011, Robinson was on maternity leave and listening to the Radiothon while holding her 6-week-old son, Aiden. She already knew the event well. Before Aiden was born, she had donated and volunteered at the children’s hospital.

Aiden had been born with an unusual head shape that doctors initially thought was related to his position in the birth canal. At 6 weeks old, an X-ray and CT scan revealed severe sagittal craniosynostosis, a condition in which the skull’s sutures close prematurely. He underwent surgery at 10 weeks old and later was diagnosed with a heart murmur, NF1, ADHD and vision issues.

“I was listening to the Radiothon, holding my 6-week-old baby,” Robinson said. “This was right before we found out that he would be having surgery. I remember crying because I knew that before long, I would have firsthand knowledge of what these parents were talking about.”

“One night, I entered the door to Children’s of Mississippi, and I realized that we were exactly where we needed to be,” she said.

Over the years, Robinson watched Aiden’s craniofacial team grow as he received care from doctors, nurses and child life specialists.

“They would remember his likes and dislikes,” Robinson said. “They knew what would motivate him to give blood, to lay still for his echo. And it’s those things that make the children’s hospital stand out from a regular hospital.”

Robinson said her family has learned that pediatric care extends beyond the child.

“It’s not just the child, it’s the whole family,” she said. “They help with the siblings. They help teach the siblings what’s happening and what’s going on, so that they’ll be more aware of what’s happening to their sibling.”

Lyndsey Lee Carter’s journey to the children’s hospital began before she was born.

Jessica Carter’s water broke at 23 weeks, 2 days into her pregnancy. Her family was transferred to UMMC, where she was told she would remain until Lyndsey was delivered. Four days later, at 23 weeks, 6 days, Lyndsey was born.

Lyndsey weighed just 1 pound, 3 ounces and spent her early days in the neonatal intensive care unit.

“I was at her bedside in the NICU,” Carter said. “I talked to the doctors on the phone in my hospital room a little while after she was delivered and they told me she was sick. That didn’t prepare me for seeing her for the first time. She was so little — 1 pound, 3 ounces.”

Lyndsey’s eyes had not yet opened when Jessica first saw her, adding to her fear as a new mother. But one of her daughter’s nurses, Terry, helped calm her.

“She was the first person that calmed me down because I could tell she knew what she was doing and exactly the care that Lyndsey Lee needed,” Carter said.

Six years later, Carter said sharing Lyndsey’s story through Radiothon gives her a chance to reflect on how far her daughter has come.

“It means everything, because people that meet her now for the first time would never believe how small she was, how many surgeries and procedures she went through,” Carter said. “I especially appreciate the reflection because I go back briefly and remember the feelings I felt during that time, and I’m extremely grateful to God and my family for being there.”

For these families, sharing their stories during Mississippi Miracles Radiothon is a way to show gratitude while helping others understand the impact of community support.

For Traci Lee, morning show host on U.S. 96.3, that connection is what makes Radiothon a highlight of the year.

“Are you kidding? We wouldn’t have it any other way,” Lee said. “Radiothon is our most favorite time of the year. To be able to spend time with these families and hear their stories of what this hospital means to them. It’s just a small way that we can give back to our local community and to also give our listeners a chance to be part of something so much bigger than any of us.”

Donations to support Children’s of Mississippi can still be made through the Mississippi Miracles Radiothon.