HERSHEY, Pa. — The 41st annual Children’s Miracle Network Telethon benefiting Penn State Health Children’s Hospital will air Monday, June 2, through Thursday, June 5, on WGAL8. Telethon segments throughout the week will highlight the stories of children who have received life-saving care at the Children’s Hospital, followed by a finale special on Thursday, June 5, at 7 p.m.
Gifts made during the telethon will support equipment, programs and research. Telethon viewers will be encouraged to make a gift online at WGAL.com or at CMNHershey.org. Donors who would like to give by phone may contact the CMN office at 717-531-6606 or mail their gift to CMN, P.O. Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033.
Eleven-year-old Gannon Kupko Jr. of York Haven is one of several local children who will be featured during the broadcast. Born 12 weeks early and weighing just 13 ounces, Gannon faced tremendous odds. He needed a ventilator, trach and specialized feedings, and battled multiple complications during his 225-day NICU stay. Thanks to CMN donor-funded equipment such as isolettes — and the extraordinary care from Children’s Hospital teams — he had a fighting chance. Today, Gannon continues to thrive with the help of ongoing support, CMN-funded services and regular follow-ups at the Children’s Hospital. His bright spirit shines through his signature bow ties and inspiring artwork, including a self-published book about his own medical journey.
Gannon also designed this year’s 41st-anniversary telethon t-shirt, which will be given to donors who make a recurring monthly pledge of $35 or more. View a video about Gannon here.
This year’s telethon is sponsored by Johnson Controls; the Hershey Company; Hershey Entertainment & Resorts; Woodstream Corporation; Donegal Insurance Group; Vizo Financial Corporate Credit Union; Highmark Bright Blue Futures; McClure Company; Enders; Shollenberger, Januzzi & Wolfe LLP; Universal Media; GCM Built; PSECU; JPL; and Member’s 1st Federal Credit Union.
Learn more and give at CMNHershey.org.
About Children’s Miracle Network at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is a nonprofit organization affiliated with 170 children’s hospitals including Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. Local donations to Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) fund equipment, patient programs and pediatric research at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, which is the top-rated and most comprehensive children’s hospital between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, fully equipped to treat the most severely ill or injured children with both the highest-level neonatal intensive care unit and a Level I pediatric trauma center. CMN’s mission is to save kids’ lives and improve their quality of care.
About Philanthropy at Penn State
Gifts advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni, faculty and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.