Kelly & Jessica Woolwine, founders of The Life Ring Foundation, began supporting Carilion Children’s, a part of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, since the early 2000’s. Little did they know that they would be supporting at a deeper and more personal level by 2018, when their daughter Charlotte was 3 years old and diagnosed with cancer.
When the Cure Kids Cancer Radiothon began in 2007, hosted by 94.9 Star Country, the Woolwine Family began sponsoring this incredible initiative. In 2018, they shared their own personal journey, bringing a new, unique perspective to this campaign and call to action to donors of the need specifically in Southwest Virginia.
What the Woolwine’s discovered through personal experience in the years to follow Charlotte’s treatment, was that they had to travel to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to receive the elite, proper care for their daughter’s diagnosis and cancer type for her to have a fighting chance. Fortunately, they had the means and resources to do so, and still go to Cincinnati to this day for checkups and scans.
However, the reality set in that other children diagnosed with pediatric cancers and blood diseases in Southwest Virginia most likely do not have the same opportunity or resources to go to a different city/larger children’s hospital. Often, parents cannot afford to take leave or quit their jobs, siblings cannot leave school, and so many additional barriers come in the way to receiving the best level of care and for children & families diagnosed, and in the fight of their life.
This is why Jessica & Kelly Woolwine have started the Life Ring Foundation’s Fighting Kids Cancer campaign in 2023, which is a 5-year initiative to build a $20 million-dollar pediatric hematology & oncology unit as a part of the new state of the art Carilion Cancer Center. Collaboration with Carilion Clinic, Carilion Children’s, and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is a critical part of this campaign, and The Life Ring Foundation is honored to have this partnership.
Special thanks to WFIR 94.9 Star Country, Brett & Taylor in the Mornings, Children’s Miracle Network, Carilion Children’s, and the generous supporters who made donations!
If you would like to learn more about The Life Ring Foundation & Fighting Kids Cancer, please contact Jordan Bousman, Vice President of Philanthropy at jbousman@liferingfoundation.com or 812.216.5151.
https://www.949starcountry.com/the-2023-cure-kids-cancer-radiothon/
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=767819008686059&set=a.474581051343191
https://www.wdbj7.com/video/2023/08/11/949-star-country-hosts-cure-kids-cancer-radiothon/
https://www.wdbj7.com/2023/08/11/949-star-country-hosts-annual-cure-kids-cancer-radiothon/