KOLA 99.9 FM Raises $75K for Hospital

The 10th Annual KOLA Radiothon raised over $75,000 for Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, a university spokeswoman announced Thursday.

KOLA 99.9 FM hosted the two-day event Tuesday Aug. 14 and Wednesday Aug. 15 at their studios in Redlands, Briana Pastorino of Loma Linda University said.

Funds raised this year pushed KOLA's 10-year total raised for LLUCH to more than $1.2 million, Pastorino said.

"I am overjoyed with the success of this year's radiothon," LLU Children's Hospital administrator Zareh Sarrafian said. "Everyone at LLUCH appreciates the dedication KOLA and its listeners give to this event, which ultimately affects the little lives that come to us every day for treatment."

Eight-year-old Seanna Hernandez, a patient at LLUCH, visited the KOLA studio Wednesday with her mother Celina to share their story, Pastorino said.

"The entire Loma Linda team - the nurses, doctors, everyone - kept our family together and strong," Celina Hernandez said. "They wrapped their arms around Seanna and gave us all the hope we could ask for."

Seanna came to LLUCH in May 2011 and was diagnosed with a rare brain autoimmune disorder called NMDA-receptor encephalitis, Pastorino said.

"She was hospitalized for over two months and was in an unconscious state for five months," Pastorino said. "Ms. Hernandez attributes the success of her daughter's on-going recovery to the dedicated pediatric team at Children’s Hospital."

During the radiothon, KOLA listeners called in to donate as little as five dollars to thousands of dollars, Pastorino said.

"The generosity of James and Rowena Ramos and family, Walter's Automotive Group and Quaid Harley-Davidson greatly impacted the success of this year’s radiothon," Pastorino said.

Mercy Air donated two helicopter tours Wednesday, and the tours were auctioned off for $1,000 each, Pastorino said.

More than 50 volunteers, including LLUCH patient families, employees, as well as a handful of volunteers from KOHLS department stores, supported the radiothon, Pastorino said.

Loma Linda University Children's Hospital is billed as the only dedicated children's hospital in a region including San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo and Mono counties.

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