the 11th annual "Music for Miracles" radiothon on 107.9 WNCT generated pledges of more than $136,000 for Children's Miracle Network, a fundraising program of the Pitt Memorial Hospital Foundation. Those pledges bring all-time giving for the event to more than $2.3 million. Proceeds support programs and services at University Health Systems' Children's Hospital in Greenville and the 29 counties it serves.
"For the past 11 years, the radio station's hard work and heartfelt commitment have meant so much to the children of eastern North Carolina," said Ken Turpen, executive director of the Pitt Memorial Hospital Foundation. "Their dedication to this event has helped make it one of our largest fundraisers each year."
This year's poster teen, Juliann Stalls of Williamston, joined on-air personalities during the broadcast. Juliann was diagnosed in 2007 with acute lymphocytic leukemia. She wanted to match with her own money all phone pledges up to $2,000 from 4-5 p.m. on April 11 — it took only 15 minutes to raise more than $3,000 from listeners. Juliann donated her money in memory of a friend who lost the battle with cancer.
Answering phones were more than 100 volunteers, including employees of Pitt County Memorial Hospital, the Kiwanis Club of Pitt County Professionals and East Carolina University.