A Taste of Pinellas 2012

29th ANNUAL ALL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL TELETHON RAISES $3,745,402 FOR KIDS’ CARE

(June 3, 2012) St. Petersburg, FL – The 2012 All Children's Hospital Telethon today recorded another resounding success in difficult economic times, raising a grand total of $3,745,402 for the region's referral center for specialized pediatric care.

This year's Telethon theme, "Celebrate the Miracles," focused on the amazingly strong children and their families who count on All Children's expertise. Stories of youngsters from throughout west central Florida who have benefited from All Children's care were the highlight of the 29th annual fundraiser.

In its 86-year history, All Children's Hospital has grown to become a regional referral center for the highest level of pediatric specialty care and one of the top children's hospitals in the nation. The Hospital's mission also includes a strong commitment to teaching and research, with even greater potential for growth now that All Children's has become the first US hospital outside the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area to achieve membership in Johns Hopkins Medicine. All Children's regional reach has spurred the creation of outreach facilities in seven west central Florida counties. Community support made such growth possible. Today's amazing toteboard total pushes the cumulative total of 29-years of Telethon donations to nearly $81-million. And as always, every dollar raised stays right here locally to further All Children's programs and services.

In addition to a taped broadcast on WXCW in the Ft. Myers/Naples area, the annual Telethon was broadcast live from All Children's Education and Conference Center on WFLA-TV News Channel 8 from 7 AM to 6:30 PM on Sunday, June 3rd.

Other special events benefiting All Children's Hospital were celebrated as part of the Telethon broadcast. Money raised from the individual events was included in this year's $3,745,402 total.

Bill Edwards Presents - A Taste of Pinellas raised more than $300,000 for the hospital over the course of three days in May. Now in its 26th year, the annual food festival included a stellar line-up of headline music actics including Sheryl Crow, Ziggy Marley, Big and Rich, Joe Nichols, The All-American Rejects and Dashboard Confessional which drew record crowds to Vinoy Park on the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront, thanks to sponsorship by Bill Edwards Presents, Inc., Bright House Networks, Clear Channel and Tampa Bay Times.

All Children's Annual VIP Auction, held in April at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park, added another $128,000 to the Telethon total.

All funds raised through Telethon events go directly to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL. The All Children's Hospital Telethon is part of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, an alliance of premier hospitals for children. CMNH is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids by raising funds for 170 children's hospitals across North America through partnerships with their local TV stations.