Intermountain Foundation, in partnership with Rich Broadcasting, held the 11th annual Idaho Radiothon on September 20 and 21, raising more than $57,000 for Primary Children’s Hospital.
Abigail Rose with her family
Eight pediatric patients and their families who live in Idaho shared their story with radio hosts, that were broadcast to five local radio stations, while volunteers monitored phone banks during the two-day event. Each hour of the radiothon was sponsored by local businesses who pledged to match donations.
One young Idaho patient who shared her story was Abigail Rose, an energetic almost two-year-old who was the first patient to undergo in-utero surgery in Utah. Thanks to the partnership between Primary Children’s and the University of Utah at the Grant Scott Bonham Fetal Center, Abigail didn’t require shunts to be placed like in many spina bifida cases, or any additional surgeries after she was born. She’ll continue to check in with Primary Children’s doctors as she grows.
“We want the best for her, and we’re going to do whatever it takes to give her the best,” says Abigail’s mother, Alisha. “The future for Primary Children’s is already changing because of our fetal surgery. That’s phenomenal – the fact that they can bring that to our region and how many kids they can help.” Watch more of Abigail Rose’s story in this video.
Proceeds from the Idaho Radiothon benefit the area of greatest need at Primary Children’s, funding financial assistance as well as programs like expressive therapies and pediatric research. Last year, more than 4,000 children from Idaho received care through Primary Children’s, often traveling hours from home to access the specialty care they need.
In April 2022, Idaho Falls Community Hospital and Primary Children’s partnered to provide outpatient specialty care to kids in a new Pediatric Specialty Center. The new outpatient center, which is near Idaho Falls Community Hospital, allows children to receive same-day surgical procedures from a Primary Children’s surgeon close to home. This effort is one example of how Primary Children’s is addressing, strengthening, and extending children’s health in the Intermountain West. Learn more about Primary Children’s Primary Promise to build the nation’s model health system for children and how you can get involved.