Call for Kids Telecast benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities

ClarksvilleNow.com Reporting
news@clarksvillenow.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 25th annual Calls for Kids Telecast fundraiser will be broadcast Saturday, April 4, highlighting local families and community organizations that support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Nashville.

The Telecast, benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Nashville, will broadcast live from 7 to 10 p.m. on WKRN, Nashville’s News 2, and will be streamed live on WKRN. Hosts Lisa Patton, Neil Orne, Dawn Davenport, Justin Bruce, Eric Egan and Cory Curtis will introduce viewers to local families who have stayed at the House and highlight RMHC of Nashville programs while trying to raise $125,000.

Proceeds from the Telecast support the Ronald McDonald House (RMHC) and the Ronald McDonald Family Room, located on the fifth floor of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The funds make it possible for RMHC of Nashville to serve all families, regardless of their ability to pay.

“Our Calls for Kids Telecast represents our mission of supporting families through times of crisis,” said Elizabeth Piercy, Ronald McDonald House Charities executive director. “This is our biggest annual fundraiser, and we are excited to commemorate its 25th year. We are grateful for the generosity of individuals, companies and organizations around the Nashville community that make this event possible.”

During the Telecast, local celebrities, community leaders and volunteers answer calls from donors. Contributions can be made during the event by calling (615) 322-7900 or (866) 766-9933, or online at www.rmhcnashville.com.

The evening features interviews with families who have stayed at the House while their children received treatment at Nashville-area hospitals. This year’s Telecast will tell the stories of seven families:

• Rylann Davenport, from Knoxville, Tenn., is just 6 months old. She has been diagnosed with stage III pancreatic cancer, and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Rylann and her mother, Danielle Davenport, have been staying at the House since late January.

• Andie Cate England was born with Pierre Robin Sequence, a set of abnormalities affecting the head and face. Andie was admitted to the NICU after facing multiple surgeries. Andie and her parents, Jeremy and Jamie England, stayed at the Ronald McDonald House for three months during this time. The family is from Scottsville, Ky.

• Kaleb Franklin, now 4 months old, was born premature and stayed at the Ronald McDonald House for a month. Kaleb and his parents, Paul and Sarah Franklin, reside in Paducah, Ky.

• Ava Hinton’s life will be celebrated by her parents, Attarey and Amy Hinton, of White Bluff, Tenn. The family stayed at the House during Ava’s battle with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma; she passed away in September 2013. Her family started Team Ava and supports RMHC of Nashville through many generous deeds.

• Levi Howard’s life will be celebrated by his parents, Daniel and Andrea Howard, of Winchester, Tenn. Levi passed away in December 2013 at just 4 years old due to complications from cancer.

• Paige Hubbard, from Paducah, Ky., was diagnosed with extrarenal rhabdoid sarcoma. She is 12 years old. Paige and her mother, Elizabeth Stevenson, are staying at the RMH House during her radiation.

• Caydence and Joselyn Martin, now almost two and a half years old, are twins who were born prematurely. The twins and their mother, Brianna Martin, are from Clarksville, Tenn.