Doctors, Nurses Face Off in 20th Annual Radiothon
November 11, 2025
Friendly competition meets heartfelt compassion as physicians and nurses once again go head-to-head in the Cares for Kids Radiothon, raising funds for HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital. The long-running event features 103.7 WDBR, 101.9 the WOLF and WTAX 1240 AM/93.9 FM broadcasting from the hospital’s lobby from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20 and Friday, Nov. 21, while volunteers staff phone lines to take caller donations.
Dr. Douglas Carlson, medical director of HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital, and Abigail Salzeider, nurse manager of the pediatric floor and pediatric intensive care unit, are leading co-worker teams competing to raise the most dollars for the hospital. Monies raised go toward funding items and programs such as lifesaving equipment, music therapy, transport wagons for patients, books, multi-motion baby swings, and the Child Life Program, which offers support to children in traumatic situations.
“Every year, this event shows just how much our health care professionals and local residents care about our kids,” said Mary Rogers, Program Manager – Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) for HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital and St. John’s Foundation. “The competition may be playful, but the impact is real. Every dollar raised helps us deliver compassionate, child-centered care right here in our community.”
Founded more than 40 years ago, CMN includes 170 children’s hospitals – such as St. John’s Children’s Hospital – across the United States and Canada.
Former patients and their families will be featured in radio interviews, including Jase Hendricks of Rochester, 10, the 2025 CMN local champion. Hendricks suffered life-threatening injuries and fell into a 15-day coma in 2022 after a semitrailer truck hit the side of his vehicle head-on. He is scheduled to do live interviews with all three stations from 7 to 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 21.
Donations to the Radiothon may be made in several ways:
Dr. Douglas Carlson, medical director of HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital, and Abigail Salzeider, nurse manager of the pediatric floor and pediatric intensive care unit, are leading co-worker teams competing to raise the most dollars for the hospital. Monies raised go toward funding items and programs such as lifesaving equipment, music therapy, transport wagons for patients, books, multi-motion baby swings, and the Child Life Program, which offers support to children in traumatic situations.
“Every year, this event shows just how much our health care professionals and local residents care about our kids,” said Mary Rogers, Program Manager – Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) for HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital and St. John’s Foundation. “The competition may be playful, but the impact is real. Every dollar raised helps us deliver compassionate, child-centered care right here in our community.”
Founded more than 40 years ago, CMN includes 170 children’s hospitals – such as St. John’s Children’s Hospital – across the United States and Canada.
Former patients and their families will be featured in radio interviews, including Jase Hendricks of Rochester, 10, the 2025 CMN local champion. Hendricks suffered life-threatening injuries and fell into a 15-day coma in 2022 after a semitrailer truck hit the side of his vehicle head-on. He is scheduled to do live interviews with all three stations from 7 to 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 21.
Donations to the Radiothon may be made in several ways:
- Call 217-544-5437 (KIDS)
- Text STJKIDS to 34984
- Venmo @SJFoundation (works only in person at the hospital)
- Mail a check made out to Children’s Miracle Network to HSHS St. John’s Hospital, ATTN: Mary Rogers, 800 E. Carpenter St., Springfield, IL 62769
- Online at https://donate.mygift4kids.org/#/donor/y/2864/15/1316 to donate to the doctors’ team and https://donate.mygift4kids.org/#/donor/y/2864/15/1317 to donate to the nurses’ team.
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