Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Teams Up with 99.9 Kiss Country and Beverly-Hanks & Associates for the First Annual Cure the Kids Radiothon

Asheville-based Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is working on its first annual Cure the Kids radiothon to help children stricken with deadly brain tumors. On Friday, January 26th and Saturday, January 27th, 2007, 99.9 Kiss Country will broadcast live from the Asheville Mall for 15 hours each day to raise money to find a cure for this disease. Beverly-Hanks and Associates has signed on as the premier sponsor. “We’re absolutely delighted to lend our support to this worthwhile cause,” said W. Neal Hanks Jr., President of Beverly-Hanks & Associates. “Pediatric brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer death in children, and we want to do all we can to help find a cure.”

In addition to Beverly-Hanks & Associates, Wachovia is the Tote Board Sponsor, Charter Communications is the Internet Donation Sponsor, and Chick-Fil-A, at the Asheville Mall, is the Hospitality Sponsor, and will provide food to the hundreds of volunteers that will be on-site for this event. “Wachovia is supporting this event because we feel it is important to support organizations fighting to find cures for diseases that affect children in the communities we serve,” said Robby Russell, Senior Vice President, Community Banking, of Wachovia.

The radiothon is the first event of its kind in western North Carolina. Running for 30 hours over two days, the broadcast will increase awareness of childhood brain tumors and raise money for desperately needed research into this deadly disease. The interactive format will include patient stories, family interviews, celebrity endorsements, and many activities at the mall.

Janet Cloyde, Director of Operations for Charter Communications, is heading up the committee organizing this unique event. “We are committed to helping the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation continue to be a resource for children and their families in our area, as well as elsewhere. With over 100 families from area communities seeking help each year, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation needs money to expand its research and family support for the 3,400 children who will be diagnosed this year with this terrible cancer.”

“The Cure the Kids Radiothon is an opportunity for us to give back to the community in a big way,” says Jeff Davis, Promotions Director of 99.9 Kiss Country. “We encourage all of our listeners and advertisers to help the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation find a cure for this deadly disease.”

Many local businesses have also signed up to show their support by sponsoring blocks of broadcast time. Among those companies are Dixon-Hughes, Biltmore Press, Lenny’s Sub Shop, Earth Fare, Progress Energy, Parsec Financial, The Tarrants Agency- Allstate , the Asheville Renaissance Hotel and Bank of America. Employees of these businesses will be onsite during the radiothon answering phones and collecting donations.

“Studies show that eight out of 10 Americans put more trust in companies that support charitable causes,” says Aggie Alexander, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s Director of Development. “But more importantly, we encourage local businesses and individuals to participate so they can help us save the lives of innocent kids.”