The 11th Care-a-Thon raised $400,000 for the Child Cancer Fund of Northeast Florida
Highlights from the 2 day radiothon
2025 CAREATHON
The 11th Careathon, presented by Duval Asphalt, benefitting the Child Cancer Fund of Northeast Florida took place August 15th & 16th and raised over $400,000 for the Child Cancer Fund.
The 36 hour radiothon brought stories of courage, hope and survival - along with celebrity appearances and other surprises along the way. Take a look as some of the highlights below.
Although the live broadcast has ended, you can still donate to the cause by making a bid in the Careathon auction (winning bids are donated to Child Cancer Fund).
Thank you to all the amazing sponsors who matched donations, joined the broadcast, kept us fed, decorated the call center, and helped us reach our goal.
Thank you to everyone who donated their money towards the cause, donated their time, and spread the word.
Care-a-Thon is proof that it truly takes a community and we are so proud of our Northeast Florida community everyday, but especially today.
Total amount raised: $400,000
Hour by hour highlights from the 36 hour broadcast:
5PM Saturday:
Rich Jones closed out the 36 hour broadcast surrounded by volunteers, Child Cancer Fund employees, and families who have benefitted directly from the Child Cancer Fund.
2PM:
The Risher family joined Rich to share their Child Cancer Fund story. 17 year old Kasey shared her experience and issues she faces with her prosthetic leg years after she beat cancer.
“The weight it lifts, it might seem small to someone else, but to the family in treatment who is wondering how to put food on the table, those little things , a $25 gas card or something, makes all the difference”
11AM:
Eddie Farah broadcasted live from Care-a-Thon and matched all donations during Legal Live.
This browser does not support the video element.
10AM:
Mike Ellis and Brittany Lane with Madden Advisory Services broadcast Smart Money live from Care-a-Thon.
9AM:
We’re into Day 2 with great momentum but we need more help for local families. Please consider a donation at 855-636-6877.
5PM Hour Highlights:
This hour’s special guests: Jennifer Garrett (Duval Asphalt/CCF Board); Parson Family; Suggs Family; Risher Family
Take a look at some of the faces of the Care-a-Thon family that joined Saturday’s broadcast 💛
Our Care-a-Thon first started to forever fund the Child Life Specialist position at Nemours, staffed by Miss Joli. 11 years later, that goal was met and exceeded, and Joli is still making the cancer journey of local children so much easier.
2025 WOKV Care-a-Thon
4PM Hour Highlights:
The Barretta Family, Kramer Family, and Birt Family join Rich and Clark Howard on the broadcast. Jax Therapy & Jacksonville Center for Sexual Health are matching donations until 5pm.
3PM Hour Highlights:
Eden Sutherland joins the broadcast with her daughter Eden to update us on her cancer journey and the importance of the Child Cancer Fund.
This browser does not support the video element.
2PM Hour Highlights:
This hour’s special guests: Dr. Andrew Collier (Division Chief, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Nemours/CCF Board Member); Traci Pacifico (Greyson’s mom); Heather Sambito; Bentley Bescript
1PM Hour Highlights:
This hour’s special guests: Ruppert-Richendollar Family (CCF Ambassadors); Bobby Newell, The Local; Feras, Amazon Jax7; Pamela Bowers & Kristin Saunders (Clinical Social Workers, Oncology, Nemours)
“This is a cause that makes surviving feel like thriving” Kathleen Patti, self proclaimed “Care-a-Thon kid”.
This browser does not support the video element.
12PM Hour Highlights:
This hour’s special guests: Mike Ellis & Brittany Lane (Madden Advisory Services); Chris Richardson, Jim Thelen, and Charity Rabe (Demons Behind Me- shirts and hats)
At the 2024 Care-a-Thon Heather called into the broadcast from across the street while friends and family were surrounding Brynley with love and support during her final days.
“Anytime you see a butterfly, just think of my precious little three year old, Brynley”
Brynley Piper Richardson 07/07/23 - A scene during the Child Cancer Fund’s Care-A-Thon that took place at Nemours Children’s Clinic on July 7, 2023, where radio personalities Clark Howard, Rich Jones, and April Davis interviewed children and families who are or have been affected by cancer. (Photo by Jason Pratt / Prattify) (Jason Pratt)
11AM Hour Highlights:
This hour’s special guests: Sarah Kurtz (VyStar); Susan Lee (Camp Boggy Creek); Tami-Jo Riley (Modern Woodmen); Chris (Royal Palm)
Julia Orellana from VyStar joined the broadcast to share her daughter’s story.
This browser does not support the video element.
Royal Palm donated a Wine & Cheese Tasting at Royal Palm Village Wine & Tapas to Care-a-Thon auction. To place a bid on this and other items visit our online auction.
10AM Hour Highlights:
Stacy Hicks and daughter, Cambree, and the Bryan Family joined the broadcast to share their story.
In 2022 Cambree was diagnosed and the Child Cancer Fund stepped in immediately to assist financially and make all the hard experiences a little easier. To hear more about the Hicks’ family cancer journey click here.
On July 23rd, at the age of 12, Cambree rang the bell to complete her cancer journey.
Sheriff T.K. Waters also joined Rich and Kristine to challenge his fellow colleagues to call in and donate to support the cause.
Lee Smith, The Players, shared some fond memories of how the Child Cancer Fund has helped children in the community over the years. The Players is our cowbell sponsor and every donation over $1,000 will get a cowbell ring in the Seaside Claims call center.
Cancer doesn’t discriminate, even affecting the CMG family. OJ (“Other Jacob”) shares how his family is dealing with his daughter’s leukemia diagnosis, and how the Child Cancer Fund is helping them along the way.
9AM Hour Highlights:
Katie Anderson and her son, Griffin, joined the broadcast to share their cancer journey and how the CCF helped their family when they were commuting from St. Augustine.
Mayor Donna Deegan proclaimed August 15th & 16th as Care-a-Thon Days.