Published: May 29, 2013
LANSING, Mich. - There have been 25 years of miracles, 25 years of community support, and more than $20 million raised for the Sparrow Children's Center during the annual Children's Miracle Network Telethon.
This year's telethon is Friday, May 31, and Saturday, June 1 and will air on WILX-TV 10.
The money raised helps Sparrow provide new treatments, new staff, and new equipment to diagnose and treat area children.
This year's Miracle Child is Bella Fakih, 5, of Okemos. Bella spent three months at Sparrow with a life-threatening bowel obstruction, overcoming great odds to fulfill her goal of being at school for the first day of kindergarten.
"It's such an honor to fulfill that role," Bella's mother Megan Fakih said of the recognition. "For me, it's closure. Now, we can give back and be done with this part of our lives. I know for a lot of families that's not the case."
Bella is one of the 25 Miracle Children to be recognized since Sparrow became a Children's Miracle Network hospital in 1988. The theme of this year's broadcast is "Inspired by our Past - Investing in our Future" and will take a look back at some of the children Sparrow has helped over the years.
"We wanted to be able to really show what a difference the generosity from our community has made in the lives of local children," said Stacie Peltomaa, Development Officer for the Sparrow Foundation and organizer of the telethon. "This year's event is a celebration of all we've been able to accomplish for 25 years, as well as new goals for the future to ensure our children are receiving the best medical care possible."
The Children's Center Telethon airs on WILX-TV 10 from 8 - 11:30 p.m. on Friday, May 31, and noon - 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 1.