December 4, 2025 • 6 mins
Dr. James Fahner, Medical Director of Philanthropy Education and Provider Well-Being at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital joins us to discuss the impact of Radiothon.
More details on how to donate can be found at woodradio.com.
More details on how to donate can be found at woodradio.com.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Every child deserves a chance at a healthy future, and
that future begins with you. And we are underway for
the twenty sixth annual Radiothon for Helen of Os Children's Hospital,
a broadcast on Star one oh five point seven and
B ninety three that goes from seven to seven today
and tomorrow as well. You'll find the link at woodradio
(00:22):
dot com. Speaking of Wood Radio, doctor James Fauner is
now the medical Director of Philanthropy, Education and Provider well
Being at helend of Os Children's Hospital has been there
for all of it. Just so you know, Doc Fawner
on the liveline with us this morning, Thanks for doing
this today, brother you bet.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Good morning Stephen Brett, so good to be with you again.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Where did you park when you started at helend of
Os Children's Hospital And the first time that I got
a tour like I don't know, twenty years ago to
start this radiothon process. I went to like four different floors.
I got lost three times inside Butterworth. Can you tell
us a little bit about the physical difference? Right?
Speaker 2 (01:05):
That is a wonderful question because in fact the old
physician parking area used to be you guessed it, right,
at ground zero or beautiful big blue building on the
Michigan Street Hill now Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. So how
appropriate is that? But you're right, in those early days,
we had some of our programs, some of our services,
some of our physicians kind of scattered all over the campus,
(01:26):
if you will, as those programs were just getting started
and coming together. Now with the community support, with the
support of the radiofon, each year we have that wonderful,
wonderful coalescence of care and compassion all together in the
beautiful big blue building and it's been quite a change.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Well and obviously phone lines, rope and donations can be done.
And I say that because we talk about this with
the Turkey drop with Wood Radio. It's the same thing
we Starren b ninety three, as you know doctor with
the radiothon. I mean, just talk about the progress every year.
We have an unbelievable community that is so philanthropic and
loves to give back. And when it comes to helend
(02:03):
of Vos Children's Hospital, while the numbers are just incredible.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Their hearts are always open for us and it's amazing.
This is the twenty sixth annual. I mean, how incredible
is that, but this is kind of we all know
that season of giving and gifts, but Helen DeVos Children's
Hospital is that incredible gift to the entire community and
to our kids and families that's available year round. And
what's special for all of us is that this is
the time of year that the community gives back and
(02:28):
that generous West Michigan community always steps up, always cares
about our kids and families, and always comes to our aid.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Yeah, and the people that are in the frontline of
these personal battles are doctors and pas and nurses and listen,
I don't have that kind of skill. Doc Fonner does
and all his friends. You get to actually walk alongside
them with this support. So there are things that the
(02:56):
foundation provides to help you do your job. Talk to
us a little bit about some of your favorites.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Well, that is the superpower for helend of Us Children's Hospital,
I believe, because you're exactly right. We are blessed to
have the latest technology. We have the state of the
art equipment, We have cutting edge clinical research programs that
bring the most current and the most promising therapies to
our kids. But what that special difference is when you
walk into helend of US Children's Hospital is that you
(03:23):
feel surrounded by this group of caregivers who are filled
with care and compassion and kids are what they care about.
Kids are what they do. You kind of walk into
the Children's Hospital, you know and you have this experience
that this is not an adult place. This is a
place that's sized and shaped and colored and scaled and
put together specifically designed for the unique care of kids
(03:45):
and families. And sometimes that means those wrap around services
that help get kids and families through what can be
the most terrifying, the most uncertain times in their lives
and whether they're getting an MRI, a CT scan, a
spinal pap, even a blood draw, to be surrounded by
a child and family life team, music therapy, art therapy,
ur pet therapy program, that's what makes the difference and
(04:08):
that's why our families feel, they know that their kids
are in the best possible hands.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
And you're going to hear from the kids today. I
know our co host Smittye, who's over anchoring the coverage
on one oh five point seven, and Steve will be
over there on Star with her after we're done. And
then obviously the folks at be ninety three with Ali
and Mike wanted to spotlight the kids, and I think
there's nothing more powerful as you know, doctor, and I'll
let you speak to this. Then hearing the kids themselves
(04:34):
advocating for the hospital and the care they've gotten. It's amazing,
from you know, six seven years old all the way
up to their teenagers. Maybe now there's so many kids
in so many schools and communities that have felt the
impact you're in West Michigan of what this place that's
so special is done.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Really everyone does. Absolutely, You're so whether it's someone in
your own family, whether it's that child, grandchild, niece, or nephew.
But for sure it's been a child in in your
child's school, it's been someone down the street in your neighborhood,
it's someone who attends your church with you. That care
has touched the lives of some child and family that
(05:11):
is close and important to you, and this is the
chance for them to really come back and tell their stories,
which is so touching because the pride, the smiles that
the Radiothon makes possible, whether it's looking out the windows
on our project night lights Nights and see our amazing
first responders out there in the courtyard cheering on our kids.
(05:32):
Whether it's a child in our clinic who's ringing that
last chemotherapy bell in the clinic, whether it's a child
who's just been able to go through their MRI or
their CT scan without anesthesia with the support of our
therapy dog. Those are the moments that tell our story,
and you're going to be hearing about those wonderfully in
the next two.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Days seven to seven today, seven to seven tomorrow be
ninety three Star one to five point seven give now
through Woodradio dot com. Medical director of Philanthropy, re Education
and provide our well being and Helen the Boss Children's
Hospital Doctor James Bonner, Doc, thanks for your.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Time today, you bet, thanks for all you do. Appreciate
you
Every child deserves a chance at a healthy future, and
that future begins with you. And we are underway for
the twenty sixth annual Radiothon for Helen of Os Children's Hospital,
a broadcast on Star one oh five point seven and
B ninety three that goes from seven to seven today
and tomorrow as well. You'll find the link at woodradio
(00:22):
dot com. Speaking of Wood Radio, doctor James Fauner is
now the medical Director of Philanthropy, Education and Provider well
Being at helend of Os Children's Hospital has been there
for all of it. Just so you know, Doc Fawner
on the liveline with us this morning, Thanks for doing
this today, brother you bet.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Good morning Stephen Brett, so good to be with you again.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Where did you park when you started at helend of
Os Children's Hospital And the first time that I got
a tour like I don't know, twenty years ago to
start this radiothon process. I went to like four different floors.
I got lost three times inside Butterworth. Can you tell
us a little bit about the physical difference? Right?
Speaker 2 (01:05):
That is a wonderful question because in fact the old
physician parking area used to be you guessed it, right,
at ground zero or beautiful big blue building on the
Michigan Street Hill now Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. So how
appropriate is that? But you're right, in those early days,
we had some of our programs, some of our services,
some of our physicians kind of scattered all over the campus,
(01:26):
if you will, as those programs were just getting started
and coming together. Now with the community support, with the
support of the radiofon, each year we have that wonderful,
wonderful coalescence of care and compassion all together in the
beautiful big blue building and it's been quite a change.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Well and obviously phone lines, rope and donations can be done.
And I say that because we talk about this with
the Turkey drop with Wood Radio. It's the same thing
we Starren b ninety three, as you know doctor with
the radiothon. I mean, just talk about the progress every year.
We have an unbelievable community that is so philanthropic and
loves to give back. And when it comes to helend
(02:03):
of Vos Children's Hospital, while the numbers are just incredible.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Their hearts are always open for us and it's amazing.
This is the twenty sixth annual. I mean, how incredible
is that, but this is kind of we all know
that season of giving and gifts, but Helen DeVos Children's
Hospital is that incredible gift to the entire community and
to our kids and families that's available year round. And
what's special for all of us is that this is
the time of year that the community gives back and
(02:28):
that generous West Michigan community always steps up, always cares
about our kids and families, and always comes to our aid.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Yeah, and the people that are in the frontline of
these personal battles are doctors and pas and nurses and listen,
I don't have that kind of skill. Doc Fonner does
and all his friends. You get to actually walk alongside
them with this support. So there are things that the
(02:56):
foundation provides to help you do your job. Talk to
us a little bit about some of your favorites.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Well, that is the superpower for helend of Us Children's Hospital,
I believe, because you're exactly right. We are blessed to
have the latest technology. We have the state of the
art equipment, We have cutting edge clinical research programs that
bring the most current and the most promising therapies to
our kids. But what that special difference is when you
walk into helend of US Children's Hospital is that you
(03:23):
feel surrounded by this group of caregivers who are filled
with care and compassion and kids are what they care about.
Kids are what they do. You kind of walk into
the Children's Hospital, you know and you have this experience
that this is not an adult place. This is a
place that's sized and shaped and colored and scaled and
put together specifically designed for the unique care of kids
(03:45):
and families. And sometimes that means those wrap around services
that help get kids and families through what can be
the most terrifying, the most uncertain times in their lives
and whether they're getting an MRI, a CT scan, a
spinal pap, even a blood draw, to be surrounded by
a child and family life team, music therapy, art therapy,
ur pet therapy program, that's what makes the difference and
(04:08):
that's why our families feel, they know that their kids
are in the best possible hands.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
And you're going to hear from the kids today. I
know our co host Smittye, who's over anchoring the coverage
on one oh five point seven, and Steve will be
over there on Star with her after we're done. And
then obviously the folks at be ninety three with Ali
and Mike wanted to spotlight the kids, and I think
there's nothing more powerful as you know, doctor, and I'll
let you speak to this. Then hearing the kids themselves
(04:34):
advocating for the hospital and the care they've gotten. It's amazing,
from you know, six seven years old all the way
up to their teenagers. Maybe now there's so many kids
in so many schools and communities that have felt the
impact you're in West Michigan of what this place that's
so special is done.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Really everyone does. Absolutely, You're so whether it's someone in
your own family, whether it's that child, grandchild, niece, or nephew.
But for sure it's been a child in in your
child's school, it's been someone down the street in your neighborhood,
it's someone who attends your church with you. That care
has touched the lives of some child and family that
(05:11):
is close and important to you, and this is the
chance for them to really come back and tell their stories,
which is so touching because the pride, the smiles that
the Radiothon makes possible, whether it's looking out the windows
on our project night lights Nights and see our amazing
first responders out there in the courtyard cheering on our kids.
(05:32):
Whether it's a child in our clinic who's ringing that
last chemotherapy bell in the clinic, whether it's a child
who's just been able to go through their MRI or
their CT scan without anesthesia with the support of our
therapy dog. Those are the moments that tell our story,
and you're going to be hearing about those wonderfully in
the next two.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Days seven to seven today, seven to seven tomorrow be
ninety three Star one to five point seven give now
through Woodradio dot com. Medical director of Philanthropy, re Education
and provide our well being and Helen the Boss Children's
Hospital Doctor James Bonner, Doc, thanks for your.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Time today, you bet, thanks for all you do. Appreciate
you
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.