JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The annual Wolfson Children’s Challenge Telethon at WJXT is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, and all the money raised will help provide lifesaving and life-changing care for local children in need of important comprehensive therapy services.
WJXT is once again partnering with Wolfson Children’s Hospital to host a day of donating at Channel 4’s studios with all proceeds going to Wolfson Children’s Rehabilitation – which is a resource available at the main hospital and several outpatient clinics – offering specialized care for children in Northeast Florida and South Georgia dealing with sensory, movement, feeding and communication difficulties.
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Our phone lines open at 7 a.m. Thursday and will be active until 7 p.m.
Every donation, whether it’s big or small, will make a difference for local kids.
The goal this year is to raise $100,000.
“We’ve never made it to $100K with the telethon,” a representative of the event’s volunteer committee said. “Twice we’ve surpassed $90k. That’s a huge goal for us. But, it’s the 70th anniversary of Wolfson Children’s Hospital, since the hospital first opened its doors in 1955. The 1955 date is the reason that we honor 55 children each year.”
If you can’t call in on Thursday, you can also donate online here.
The telethon is part of an annual fundraising initiative—the Wolfson Children’s Challenge—celebrating 16 years this year. The Wolfson Children’s Challenge was created in 2009 by Paul Wilson, whose newborn son, Luke, underwent surgery just hours after his birth. Paul hoped to raise $5,000 by running 55 miles – honoring the year the hospital opened in 1955.
Wilson’s mission has continued every year, and more than $4 million has been raised to fund technology and programs to better care for pediatric patients.
Every year, the Wolfson Children’s Challenge honors 55 current and former patients of all ages who represent the wide range of conditions treated at Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Known as the “Wolfson 55,” each child and family has a unique story to tell about the strength and hope it takes to fight a health battle. We have listed a few of the honorees and their stories below. To celebrate all 55 honorees, the community is asked to attend the Wolfson Children’s Challenge on Jan. 25, 2025.
The Wolfson Children’s Challenge will feature a 5K and a 1-mile fun run, both designed to make the experience more inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.
The event will occur at the Winston Family YMCA in Riverside, allowing for a special moment on the course when runners pass by the hospital’s front entrance.
Even if you’re not a runner, community members can enjoy the Kids Village featuring: Star Wars characters, Code Ninjas, Jacksonville Jaguars D-LINE performances, Gator Clowns, Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, MOCA, MOSH, and more! Click here to register and for more information.
Wolfson 55: Meet Magnolia
“We loved our experience with Wolfson Children’s Hospital, and it is a continual experience as our daughter’s condition will have us coming back for the rest of her life,” Magnolia’s mom, Keli, said. “When we first got the diagnosis for Magnolia at 17 weeks pregnant, I looked up information on her diagnosis and how Wolfson handles it. To be honest, there was not a lot of information. After meeting our amazing surgeon who works with Wolfson and Nemours, we truly felt God wanted us to stay local and to just trust his process and we are so glad we did. We hope any other families who have this very rare diagnosis can see and hear our story and know they are safe here!”
Wolfson 55: Meet Ezra
“Everyone including nurses, pharmacists, child life specialists, social workers, and therapists were so gracious, patient, and loving to Ezra and our family,” Ezra’s father, John, said. “We feel like we are family at Wolfson Children’s, and everyone cares about Ezra as a person instead of just treating his disease.”
Wolfson 55: Meet Zion
“We have had nothing but wonderful, great experiences with Wolfson Children’s Hospital,” Zion’s mom, Melanie, said. “Everyone greets us with smiles and are always so welcoming. They go above and beyond their calling, and we just love them so much because they love on my son as if he was their own.”
Wolfson 55: Meet Gwen
“Our family moved to St. Augustine for an exciting professional opportunity for my husband,” Gwen’s mom, Elizabeth, said. “What we didn’t know when we moved, was that we would be blessed to be in an area with a world-class children’s hospital. In March 2024, Gwen was happily playing and suddenly stopped to say, ‘Mommy, I love you.’ She then went into a seizure state. I took her to the ER at Baptist South and she was quickly transferred to Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital. I saw signs that said ‘Top Hospital for Pediatric Neurology’ by US News and World Report and knew God had put us in the exact place we needed to be for Gwen’s care. She needed Wolfson Children’s state-of-the-art facility, and she absolutely needed Dr. Alexandra Beier’s immeasurable skill. While our journey with the Wolfson Children’s team is far from over, we couldn’t have asked for a better hospital for our entire family’s care and support.”
Click here for more information on the Wolfson Children’s Challenge.