GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – On Wednesday, Feb. 7, the radio hosts of 93.7 K-Country and Wind-FM – 92.5 Gainesville 95.5 Ocala, will appeal to listeners across North Central Florida to open their hearts and their wallets for an important cause.
The stations along with 352today, which operate under the umbrella of North Central Florida Media, will host the 25th annual Bear-A-Thon from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. It’s a one-day blitz to raise money for Stop Children’s Cancer, a nonprofit whose name is also its mission.
“The Bear-A-Thon is a feel-good day,” said Christy Gibbons, Executive Director for Stop Children’s Cancer. “For a $40 donation, you’re going allow us to give every child at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital who is in the cancer treatment center and their siblings something to hang on to, something to cuddle, comfort them during the process of their treatment.”
While the toy teddy bears have an immediate impact, the dollars donated also go toward the long-term goal: finding a cure.
“Your donation stays right here in Gainesville funding world class pediatric cancer research,” said Jim Robertson, who is a board member for Stop Children’s Cancer. “The progress being made in not just survival rates but the clinical trials being funded are cutting edge. We hope listeners and readers will help fund these incredible researchers, as well as the bears and chemo ducks which truly help the children get through their life-changing treatments.”
| WANT TO GIVE? Click here to make an online donation to Bear-A-Thon
Robertson has witnessed Bear-A-Thon’s evolution and impact. He was the General Manager of the radio stations and instrumental in Bear-A-Thon’s inception 25 years ago.
“The Bear-A-Thon has increased Stop Children’s Cancer’s public awareness tenfold,” said Robertson. He believes the case to contribute is compelling. “Over 25 years, we’ve seen so many kids and their families. I always marvel at their positive attitudes. Just the other day talking to Bella Rose and her mom, Jennifer, are a great example. Bella Rose is 10 with a smile and personality to light up a room. Yet, she has lost her hair and is going through the treatments. You can’t help but to want to Stop Children’s Cancer.”
That desire is validated in the way the donations have grown over the years with $125,000 raised during the drive last year.
“Every penny helps,” said Gibbons who has seen donations come in all shapes and sizes – cash, checks, credit cards from as small as $10 from individuals to as much as $10,000 from companies who challenge other businesses in their same industry to also donate.
“It’s very moving to see the number of people who just give from the heart,” said Gibbons.
Now thanks to improved treatments, children who were once on the receiving end are adults paying it forward.
“A few years ago, a young lady who was at UF in medical school donated a bear. She had received a bear years earlier from us. Such a sweet success story,” recounted Robertson. “It’s fantastic to see the positive outcomes from 25 years of everyone working together for a common cause.”
