MILWAUKEE (May 6, 2023) – The 26th annual WKLH Miracle Marathon for Children’s Wisconsin presented by Mars Family Foundation is Thursday–Friday, May 16-17, 2024. Broadcast live on 96.5 WKLH and online at WKLH.com, this two-day, 36-hour radiothon is one of the largest community-wide fundraisers for Children’s Wisconsin, having raised more than $29 million since it began 26 years ago.
Dave Luczak and Dorene Michaels of the Morning ’KLH host the Miracle Marathon. Luczak, an active Children’s Wisconsin Foundation board member, has been part of the WKLH Miracle Marathon since its inception. This will be Luczak’s final year hosting, as he announced last year that he plans to retire at the end of 2024. It will be Michaels’ ninth year co-hosting the event.
“Each year, incredible families bravely share their Children’s Wisconsin journey and, in the process, inspire the community to generously support Children’s,” said Luczak. “It is an honor to host this event and to witness firsthand how the support of our listeners fuels hope and healing for those who need it most.”
Miracle Marathon highlights numerous Children’s Wisconsin programs and services that result in more than 6.5 million connections with kids each year. Listeners hear from families who have received life-changing care from Children’s and from the providers and staff members who support the physical, social and mental health of Wisconsin’s kids and teens.
“Children’s Wisconsin was founded by the community, and it’s the community’s ongoing support and generosity that continues to make our work possible. Together, we are delivering on a holistic definition of health that includes kids’ physical, social and mental well-being, and making a real difference to help kids live their fullest lives possible,” said Meg Brzyski Nelson, president of the Children’s Wisconsin Foundation. “We are immensely grateful for our incredible partners at WKLH, the inspiring families and care providers who share their heartbreaking and heartwarming stories on-air, and the selfless generosity of our supporters. Events such as the WKLH Miracle Marathon presented by Mars Family Foundation help build a future where all kids have what they need to be healthy and happy. We can’t do it without all of you by our side.”
Listeners who wish to support Children’s Wisconsin can call a live volunteer phone bank to donate or do so online. By making a monthly gift of $25 or more, donors become part of the Miracle Club, a dedicated group of Children’s Wisconsin supporters whose generosity supports life-saving care for kids. For more information, visit www.childrenswi.org/miraclemarathon2024.
“We have a record number of families joining us this year — each with their own inspiring story to share,” Michaels said. “Tune in to hear why Children’s is so much more than a hospital and how your support can make a big difference for the kids who need it most, from the tiniest babies in the NICU to the teens looking forward to the Children’s Wisconsin Prom. The kids in our community are counting on your support!”
About Children’s Wisconsin
Children’s Wisconsin is the region’s only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. The hospital, with locations in Milwaukee and Neenah, Wisconsin, is recognized as one of the leading pediatric health care centers in the United States. It is ranked among the top pediatric hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-24 Best Children’s Hospitals report. Children’s provides primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, mental and behavioral health care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers. In 2022, Children’s invested more than $171 million in the community to improve the health status of children through medical care, advocacy, education and pediatric medical research. Children’s achieves its mission in part through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations and is proud to be a member of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
About 96.5 WKLH
WKLH is owned by Lakefront Communications LLC. Lakefront is a subsidiary of Saga Communications, Inc., a broadcast company devoted to acquiring, developing, and operating broadcast properties. Saga owns or operates broadcast properties in 26 markets, including 75 FM, 33 AM radio stations and 64 metro signals. For more information about WKLH – Milwaukee’s Hometown Rock, visit the website at wklh.com.
