For years I have listened to Eric and Kathy's annual 36 hour Radiothon to raise much needed funds for Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. I am ashamed to say that I never once made a donation. I would listen to the stories of the children treated at Children's Memorial Hospital, now Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, and I would shed some tears, and then I would turn the radio off, thinking to myself, "wow."
Then I would go on about my day.
A lot changes when you move to Cancerville. Everything, really. In 2007, during the Radiothon, I walked through the hospital lobby to get to Donna's inpatient room. There was a little thrill that I could actually see Eric and Kathy, morning drive personalities, as they interviewed a family. Click. Connection made. Oh, this was that Radiothon. The funds raised go directly to this world class institution where we have entrusted Donna's care. Oh. That 'click' was loud. LOUD.
I remember driving home later that afternoon and being introduced to some of the children treated before Donna. Kids with names like Ollie and Mark and Gus. None of them had made it. I turned the radio off, sobbing. Too close, too close, too close. Too damn close.
In twelve years of hosting the Radiothon, Eric and Kathy have raised over twenty million dollars for Children's Memorial. $20,000,000.00, for freak's sake. That is an astounding number of zeroes. Chicagoans open up their wallets every year, moved by the stories they hear. Tomorrow, for the first time, they will hear Donna's story.
A few months ago we got a call or an email from the hospital foundation, I honestly can't remember which, wondering if we might be interested in participating. Without knowing what all was involved, without consulting Mary Tyler Dad, I heard myself say, "Yes, of course." We feel completely full of love and gratitude toward Lurie Children's Hospital. Anything we can do to help that institution, we will do it. This is a given in our home. It is understood that we owe a tremendous amount, the length and quality of our daughter Donna's too brief life, to the fine folks inside those walls.
So this morning, bright and early for the 7 A.M. kick-off hour, me and Mary Tyler Dad and Son will drive down to share Donna's story with all of Chicagoland. We will be the first family to sit in the nest of the new Crown Sky Garden Lobby on the 11th floor of the hospital now dedicated to the fine efforts of Eric and Kathy, and share our Donna's story. We will see, for the first time, her "story song," a video made of photos of Donna and snippets of an interview we did in studio a couple of months ago.
There will be tears, Lordy, I know there will be tears. And pride, too, and gratitude. Probably a little laughter.
What's most remarkable to me about Eric and Kathy and about the staff at Lurie's that scouts the families to tell their stories is that they are not afraid of the dead children. The children who have died, the Marks and Ollies and Guses and Donnas and Bennys and Mayas, are not forgotten, not banished from hope. They, too, are worthy of having their story told. Their death is as much a testament to the wonderful care provided at Lurie Children's as the glorious survivors who are saved. As the mom of a daughter who is buried, I cannot tell you how grateful I am for that.
So today, we become THAT family. We will tell Donna's story, our story, and maybe you will listen. You might be sitting in your car, your kids in the backseat, on your way to school. Or in your kitchen, packing those lunches. Or in bed, bleary-eyed and tired, waking for the day.
And maybe, just maybe, you will be better than I was all those years, and you will make that donation, supporting the work of a place I hope you never need.
The Radiothon can be watched live here. You can donate here. And you can listen to the 36 Hour Radiothon at 101.9 FM, The Mix in Chicago, or streamed online.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.