Media inquiries: (804) 924-5679

U.VA. CMC TELETHON SET FOR JUNE 3 AND 4

This year's Children's Miracle Network Telethon to raise funds for the University of Virginia Children's Medical Center (CMC) will take place Saturday and Sunday, June 3 and 4. WVIR-TV/Channel 29 will broadcast the event from the U.Va. Medical Center from 8 p.m. Saturday to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Funds are sought to support three CMC areas. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) needs $2 million to expand facilities for feeding, baby care and family visits. The average hospital stay for NICU babies is 20 days, making family visit areas a top need.

The CMC also hopes to raise $50,000 for the new Virginia Children's Heart Center to link specialized care from U.Va. with pediatric heart care specialists statewide.

U.Va. research programs targeting childhood diseases are also seeking $250,000. Key studies are focusing on organ development, intestinal infections, asthma and cerebral palsy.

In addition to the telethon, the 16th CMC Walkathon will take place Saturday, June 3 at Klockner Stadium. Registration begins at 3 p.m. and the walk begins at 4 p.m. For information on participation and sponsorship, call (804) 924-8432 or (800) 297-0102.

On June 17, a raffle drawing will be held to benefit the CMC. Tickets are $5 for a chance to win a $20,000 Harley Davidson XL2000S motorcycle donated by Waugh Enterprises in Orange. Tickets may be purchased at the U.Va. Medical Center gift shop or by calling (804) 924-8432 or (800) 88WAUGH.

May 11, 2000