She’s healed the hearts of millions of Americans with her nightly radio song request and dedication program, but the most-listened-to woman on the radio, Delilah, has turned her attention to healing America’s kids. As a spokesperson for Together for Kids, a national alliance of children’s hospitals including Shriners Hospitals for Children®, the syndicated radio host will help raise money and awareness for this and other Together for Kids hospitals nationwide. A ceremony to launch the partnership was held today at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, one of three Together for Kids member hospitals serving the Tampa Bay area.

“As the mother of 11 children, I know that when your child is sick, nothing else matters,” said Delilah. “That’s why I am so passionate about the work being done by Together for Kids to connect its member hospitals with the funding they need to care for sick and injured children, regardless of their ability to pay. Every child deserves every chance to live a healthy life.” According to the American radio personality, author and songwriter, Together for Kids stood out from other children’s charities because one hundred percent of all funds raised directly support the health care needs of children served by its member hospitals.

Throughout the year, Delilah will take her audience of more than eight million listeners inside the walls of Together for Kids hospitals, including Shriners Hospitals for Children®, to hear from some courageous children facing some very serious health challenges. She’ll also introduce listeners to the people who work tirelessly to treat children affected by serious illness or injury.

“This partnership presents an opportunity to strengthen the work of Shriners Hospitals for Children® with the advanced technology, treatment, education and medical research we need to tackle today’s toughest pediatric issues,” said Marlena Lagina-Kleine, vice president of communications, development and public relations. “We are delighted to have Delilah join our alliance of children’s hospitals in creating a single voice advocating for children’s health.”

Founded in 2007, Together for Kids’ primary focus is on raising unrestricted funds for its member hospitals. The organization’s 43 member hospitals, including all Shriners Hospitals for Children, also benefit from being part of a collaborative network of peers sharing best practices to improve care for all of America’s sick and injured children.

About DelilahDelilah is syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks on more than 200 radio stations in the U.S. and Canada. Her soothing voice, open heart and love of music attracts an audience of more than eight million listeners weekly, making her the most-listened-to woman on radio in the U.S. The show combines Delilah’s distinctive blend of story-telling, sympathetic listening and encouragement – all scored with adult contemporary soft rock. Often referred to as the “Oprah of Radio,” Delilah is also the author of “Love Matters.” Published by Harlequin Books, the book features Delilah’s perspective on love, as well as stories from her listeners. In addition, Delilah established a foundation called Point Hope as a voice for forgotten children everywhere. The immediate focus of the Foundation is on refugee children in Ghana and on special needs children in the foster care system nationwide and in her neighborhood of White Center in Seattle. Visit www.Delilah.com.

About Shriners Hospitals for Children®Shriners Hospitals for Children® is a health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay. For more information, please visit www.shrinershospitals.org.

About Together for KidsTogether for Kids is a national alliance of children’s hospitals dedicated to building a healthier future for America’s kids. The organization provides an urgently needed national fundraising mechanism for its member hospitals, helping them care for seriously ill children and tackle the toughest health issues facing all kids. Visit www.togetherforkids.org.

Shriners Hospitals for Children^® is a health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to providing pediatric specialty care to children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate. Two of the hospitals are located in Massachusetts. Situated in the western part of the state, the Shriners Hospital in Springfield provides comprehensive orthopaedic care to children with problems of the bones, muscles and joints. The hospital is located just minutes from the Connecticut border at the crossroads of Interstate 91 and the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Situated in the eastern part of the state, the Shriners Hospital in Boston is a premier pediatric burns facility providing acute, reconstructive and rehabilitative care to children with burn injuries. Conveniently located off Route 93, the Boston hospital is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. The hospitals, located 90 miles apart, provide inpatient and outpatient care to thousands of children each year from all over New England and beyond. 

Massachusetts, Texas and California have the distinction of being the only three states in the country with both a Shriners orthopaedic and Shriners burns hospital

Shriners Hospitals for Children^®- Springfield has some exciting news to share. A photo submitted by hospital photographer Adrienne Lacey has been selected for inclusion to the NACHRI (National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions) 2011 Children’s Hospital Photo Exhibit.

The photo exhibit represents the endless ways children’s hospitals achieve their mission to care for all children. The exhibit displays children’s hospital’s highest quality photos that captivate viewers, bring them into the moment and exemplify superlative care.

Ten top winners along with 40 additional photos complete the 2011 exhibit. 

The exhibit will launch at the 2011 NACHRI and N.A.C.H. Creating Connections Conference in Baltimore, March 13-16, 2011. NACHRI will later display the photos on Capitol Hill where the story in pictures will serve as a powerful reminder to Congress to consider how legislative decisions impact children’s hospitals and the children they serve. 

 In 2010, nine photos from various Shriners Hospitals for Children^® were chosen for the exhibit, six of which were included in the top ten. To view last year’s pictures click here.