Idaho Falls

IDAHOFALLSMAGAZINE.COM 65 When Richard Mecham first heard about KSL's radiothon fundraising event for Primary Children's Hospital, he thought radio stations shouldn't vary from their normal programming to hold an event. At least, that's what he thought until he actually visited Primary Children's Hospital. "I went up to the hospital and met these kids," Mecham said. "I saw what the hospi- tal does for these kids and I thought, 'I will never, ever not do this event ever again.' " True to his word, the first call Mecham made after purchasing the radio stations that form Rich Broadcasting in eastern Idaho was to Primary Children's to see if he could host his own radiothon for the hospital. As thousands of Idaho children visit Primary Children's every year, the chance to give to the hospital, even though located in Salt Lake City, still benefits children in this area. "I don't think people realize they prob- ably know someone who's been affected by this hospital," Mecham said. "I don't care if it's $1, $10 or $1,000 – donate something." One hundred percent of the funds raised by the two-day event, beginning at 3 p.m. Sept. 21 and ending at 6 p.m. Sept. 22 this year, goes to Primary Children's charity care mission. "Primary Children's has a founding mis- sion to take care of every child whether their family can afford it or not," said Hedi Green with Primary Children's. "We have a large charity care mission [for those who can't afford the care] . . . The staff people don't know who's receiving care assistance or not; everybody gets the same top-notch, incredible care from the hospital." This will be Rich Broadcasting's fifth year running a radiothon for Primary Children's. Over the years, it has raised thousands of dollars for the hospital, receiving support from individuals and businesses within the community. Local businesses will often send over volunteers to help with the phone lines as well as match the donations that come in during a part of the event. To help promote the event as the radio- thon is running, several Idaho children who are or have been patients at Primary Children's are interviewed on Rich Broadcasting's radio stations as part of that day's program. "Four of the kids they [brought] in here to interview are terminally ill," Mecham said. "These kids are going to die and there is nothing they can do about it – nothing! And yet, they go down to this hospital and they treat them like gold, make their lives as good as they can possi- bly be for as long as they're on the planet, and I just thing it's the greatest thing. That's why I do [the radiothon]." IF RADIOTHON | CHARITABLE CAUSE n 'On Call' for a Cause Rich Broadcasting opens up its lines for Primary Children's Hospital SHANELLE NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO BY NIKKI SIEGEL Letter from a grateful mother Your child has cancer. Those are four of the worst words any par- ent can hear. But to hear them twice isn't just doubly painful, it's indescribable. Our two daughters, Sirri and Meg, are both cancer sur- vivors. Sirri has been in remission of Ganglion Neuroblastoma since 2008 and Meg is currently undergoing treatment for ALL Leukemia. When Sirri was diagnosed we were rushed to Primary Children's Hospital. That was the longest, scar - iest drive our family has ever made. We were entering the unknown. Seven years later we were urgently traveling the exact same road. But this time, it was slightly less scary. We know, from experience, that once we entered the doors of Primary Children's Hospital our daughter would be in the best of hands. Hands that would care for her, care for us and lovingly travel alongside us every step of the way. Our family believes that Primary Children's Hospital is a sacred place. A place that the heavens opened and plunked down on Earth. Primary Children's Hospital is the hardest place our daughters have ever been, but ironically enough, it is one of their favorites. Thank you for your donation to this amazing hospital. Love, A grateful mother Thousands of Idaho children visit Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City each year. Rich Broadcasting's annual Radiothon is a chance to give back to the hospital that has given hope to so many children. Sirri and Meg will be featured in this year's radiothon.

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