December 5, 2025 • 5 mins
Dr. James Fahner, Medical Director of Philanthropy Education, Corewell Health Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital joined us this morning to read a series of POWERFUL letters from patients who needed the services of Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.
You can donate to the cause here: https://corewellhealth.org/foundation/west/helen-devos-childrens-hospital/radiothon
You can donate to the cause here: https://corewellhealth.org/foundation/west/helen-devos-childrens-hospital/radiothon
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
And what I really love about having doctor Fauner here
is you're almost kind of our guy on the inside.
You get to watch these miracles every day. You're a
part of them as a doctor at the hospital. You've
been there for years, and I can't imagine the amount
of stories that you have stockpiled from every blessing that
you've seen.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
We have lots of amazing stories, truly amazing stories of
these youngsters, so full of courage and resilience, and how
can they not be an inspiration for us and for
our team of caregivers every day.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
It must be hard to kind of think of one
to share or those that really really stick with you.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
It is, but you know, it is impossible to fully
thank your listeners and those callers who are so generously supporting,
and so sometimes it's just best to let our patients
speak for themselves. And so I did bring a note
that was so special to meet Midi, and I know
it's someone who's special to you as well. But I
got an email a few weeks ago, and I hope
I'll get through this because it is emotional for me too.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
You don't have to we love crying.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
It may come to that, but It just started out, Hello,
doctor Fauner, It's time for my annual note, and this
year marks a truly special milestone. Today is twenty five
years since I was diagnosed with leukemia, and I find
myself reflecting on the incredible care, compassion, and hope that
your team gave me and have continued to show me
(01:21):
since I am here today because of you, and I
will never stop being grateful. October twenty seventh will always
be an emotional day for me because it takes me
back to a hospital room at Helen de Oz Children's
Hospital where I first met at doctor Fawner and an
amazing team of caregivers and learned that I had cancer.
What could have been the darkest day of my life
(01:43):
became the beginning of a story filled with faith, healing,
and love because I have all of you beside me.
You didn't just treat my illness, you cared for me
as a person. The kindness and reassurance and strength that
you shared carried me through the artist moments, and those
lessons will still guide me twenty five years later. I'm
(02:05):
proud to be a survivor, a mom, a wife, a friend,
and someone who now gets to help others through the
Make a Wish Foundation, a gift that all began with
the care and hope you gave me. Thank you for
saving my life and for continuing to inspire how I
live it with love and gratitude.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
That's phenomenal. That's phenomenal.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
It's a special, special thing to be able to be
part of those lives, and to continue to be part
of those lives years later, to get the graduation invitations,
the wedding announcements, the birth announcements. Even before I was
a grandfather, I was a grand doctor again. Yeah, it
was an amazing privilege, and it's because we are able
(02:55):
to help bring miracles into the lives of those children
and families thanks to your life listeners into the callers
who are reaching out and reaching into their hearts this
morning as well.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
She sends you a letter every year every year. I'm
very I would like to thank you because I'm fortunate
enough to consider her one of my very close friends,
and she would not be here without you. The team.
She talks about Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. I mean imagine
that if you are thinking about donating right now and
having that donation matched at one eight seven seven nine five,
(03:27):
three kids. What if we told you that what you
were donating to is to creating a mom and a
wife and a friend, someone who twenty five years later said,
Helen de Vos saved my life. I wouldn't have a
best friend without Helen de vas My little girl is
so close with her daughter. We wouldn't have any of
these things without your team's vital work. That's absolute. That's
(03:49):
one of the most incredible testaments I can imagine.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
It's a privilege, it's a privilege in an honor, and
it's work that would not be possible without our community
coming together as they do in these incredible two days together.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
And it's one of those full circle moments. She's at
make a wish. Yeah, it's just this is the beauty
we talk about you guys, and you are a part
of this. You are the beautiful piece to this work.
One eight seven, seven, nine five three kids. I think
she's listening right now. So I'm gonna say thank you
very much, because I don't know if anyone's gotten me
to cry at eight am. That's a first. I'm ready.
(04:21):
I usually can make it till about lunch, maam, but no,
it's worth it now. It was absolutely incredible. Listen, we're
gonna take a break. We've got that match still going
right now, and we have six open lines. One eight seven, seven,
nine five three five four three seven. Think about that.
A mom getting ready to take her kids to school
right now is here because of Helen DeVos, and she's
(04:43):
here because of you.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Guys.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
The team she's talking about, they are funded by you.
They get to make this magic happen because of you.
One eight seven, seven, nine five three five four three
seven West Michigan Star dot com. If it's easier, I
know it's a crazy morning, but we can do this together.
Your donations matched right now
And what I really love about having doctor Fauner here
is you're almost kind of our guy on the inside.
You get to watch these miracles every day. You're a
part of them as a doctor at the hospital. You've
been there for years, and I can't imagine the amount
of stories that you have stockpiled from every blessing that
you've seen.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
We have lots of amazing stories, truly amazing stories of
these youngsters, so full of courage and resilience, and how
can they not be an inspiration for us and for
our team of caregivers every day.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
It must be hard to kind of think of one
to share or those that really really stick with you.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
It is, but you know, it is impossible to fully
thank your listeners and those callers who are so generously supporting,
and so sometimes it's just best to let our patients
speak for themselves. And so I did bring a note
that was so special to meet Midi, and I know
it's someone who's special to you as well. But I
got an email a few weeks ago, and I hope
I'll get through this because it is emotional for me too.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
You don't have to we love crying.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
It may come to that, but It just started out, Hello,
doctor Fauner, It's time for my annual note, and this
year marks a truly special milestone. Today is twenty five
years since I was diagnosed with leukemia, and I find
myself reflecting on the incredible care, compassion, and hope that
your team gave me and have continued to show me
(01:21):
since I am here today because of you, and I
will never stop being grateful. October twenty seventh will always
be an emotional day for me because it takes me
back to a hospital room at Helen de Oz Children's
Hospital where I first met at doctor Fawner and an
amazing team of caregivers and learned that I had cancer.
What could have been the darkest day of my life
(01:43):
became the beginning of a story filled with faith, healing,
and love because I have all of you beside me.
You didn't just treat my illness, you cared for me
as a person. The kindness and reassurance and strength that
you shared carried me through the artist moments, and those
lessons will still guide me twenty five years later. I'm
(02:05):
proud to be a survivor, a mom, a wife, a friend,
and someone who now gets to help others through the
Make a Wish Foundation, a gift that all began with
the care and hope you gave me. Thank you for
saving my life and for continuing to inspire how I
live it with love and gratitude.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
That's phenomenal. That's phenomenal.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
It's a special, special thing to be able to be
part of those lives, and to continue to be part
of those lives years later, to get the graduation invitations,
the wedding announcements, the birth announcements. Even before I was
a grandfather, I was a grand doctor again. Yeah, it
was an amazing privilege, and it's because we are able
(02:55):
to help bring miracles into the lives of those children
and families thanks to your life listeners into the callers
who are reaching out and reaching into their hearts this
morning as well.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
She sends you a letter every year every year. I'm
very I would like to thank you because I'm fortunate
enough to consider her one of my very close friends,
and she would not be here without you. The team.
She talks about Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. I mean imagine
that if you are thinking about donating right now and
having that donation matched at one eight seven seven nine five,
(03:27):
three kids. What if we told you that what you
were donating to is to creating a mom and a
wife and a friend, someone who twenty five years later said,
Helen de Vos saved my life. I wouldn't have a
best friend without Helen de vas My little girl is
so close with her daughter. We wouldn't have any of
these things without your team's vital work. That's absolute. That's
(03:49):
one of the most incredible testaments I can imagine.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
It's a privilege, it's a privilege in an honor, and
it's work that would not be possible without our community
coming together as they do in these incredible two days together.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
And it's one of those full circle moments. She's at
make a wish. Yeah, it's just this is the beauty
we talk about you guys, and you are a part
of this. You are the beautiful piece to this work.
One eight seven, seven, nine five three kids. I think
she's listening right now. So I'm gonna say thank you
very much, because I don't know if anyone's gotten me
to cry at eight am. That's a first. I'm ready.
(04:21):
I usually can make it till about lunch, maam, but no,
it's worth it now. It was absolutely incredible. Listen, we're
gonna take a break. We've got that match still going
right now, and we have six open lines. One eight seven, seven,
nine five three five four three seven. Think about that.
A mom getting ready to take her kids to school
right now is here because of Helen DeVos, and she's
(04:43):
here because of you.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Guys.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
The team she's talking about, they are funded by you.
They get to make this magic happen because of you.
One eight seven, seven, nine five three five four three
seven West Michigan Star dot com. If it's easier, I
know it's a crazy morning, but we can do this together.
Your donations matched right now
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.