News Release - Wolfson Children's Hospital Celebrates 55 Years

Jacksonville, Florida, January 12, 2010 -- This month, Wolfson Children's Hospital will celebrate 55 years in the community and many, many thousands of children the hospital's physicians, nurses and staff have cared for since 1955.

The celebration kicked off on January 6 with the lighting of a colossal birthday cake with 55 three-foot candles honoring 55 Wolfson patients that will be on display this whole month at the front of the main entrance to Wolfson.

On Wednesday, January 13, WJXT will host an all-day Wolfson 55 Telethon featuring the moving stories of 20 past and present young patients at the hospital and their families, once an hour from 6 am to 11 pm.

On Saturday, January 30, six Ultra Marathoners will begin a 55-mile run to honor Wolfson patients starting at 3 am at the hospital and ending at Treaty Oak Park at 2 pm. The Ultra Marathoners are Channel 4 Morning Show meteorologist Richard Nunn, pediatric craniofacial surgeon Saswata Roy, MD; a Wolfson patient's father, Paul Wilson, a realtor with Watson Realty; family dentist Michael Marchigiano, DDS; philanthropist and motivational speaker Linda Quirk; and Andy Woods, vice president of Operational Compliance for PSS World Medical.

Also on January 30, a 1-mile fun run will begin at Treaty Oak Park ($12 registration fee), as well as the Run 5 to Keep Kids Alive five-mile run that begins at 2 pm, also at the park. Early registration for Run 5 to Keep Kids Alive is $20 at 1st Place Sports, (registration closing date is January 27, 2010).

Until January 30, 2010, anyone can donate $10 to light a candle to help a child at Wolfson Children's Hospital. Donations are taken online at wolfson55.org. The goal is to light 40,000 candles to honor the 40,000 children served by Wolfson Children's Hospital each year. To date, more than 22,000 candles have been lit. To make a donation by phone or mail, or to become an Ultra Marathon sponsor, call 904.202.2919.

For more information about all of the celebrations for Wolfson 55, visit wolfson55.org.