WRAL-FM’s Jim Kelly and WRAL-TV’s Sloane Heffernan participate in the WakeMed Scrub Run on Saturday, June 20, 2015.
Frequently CBC’s contributions to the community hit home for our staffers who participate. The recent WakeMed Scrub Run became a way for two staffers to give back to a facility that has helped them. Capitol Broadcasting’s, WRAL TV, FOX 50, CBC Sports Radio, and WRAL-FM MIX 101.5 again served as the media sponsors for the Annual WakeMed Scrub Run to support the WakeMed Children’s Hospital. Over 1,200 racers came out to participate in the 5k, 10k and Kids Dash in downtown Raleigh on Saturday, June 20, 2015.
WRAL-FM’s Afternoon Personality Jim Kelly ran in the race to support the cause along with WRAL-TV Anchor/Reporter Sloan Heffernan.
The event culminated with a live band in Raleigh’s City Plaza with a Funfest including bounce houses, arts and crafts and face painting.
All proceeds from this event benefit the WakeMed Children’s Hospital, the only pediatric inpatient care provider in Wake County, caring for thousands of babies and children each year and always providing the highest level of care and caring to their youngest patients.
“It’s always nice to support a great partner like WakeMed and help raise awareness across the CBC divisions for this fun family event to support the Children’s Hospital,” said WRAL-FM Account Executive Barbara Purtee, one of the coordinators of CBC’s sponsorship.
Both Heffernan and Kelly had personal reasons to participate on behalf of CBC.
Heffernan participated alongside her 10-year-old son, Reed. The event was their first 5K together.
“The Scrub Run was terrific!” she said. “It was especially meaningful because of our history with WakeMed.”
She explained:
My son had a rare (only 200 cases have been reported worldwide), potentially life-threatening bacterial infection when he was 5 years old. The mortality rate of Chromobacterium violaceum is 80%. The bacteria came from a splinter in his foot that he got playing in our neighborhood playground.
The amazing doctors and nurses at WakeMed’s Children’s Hospital diagnosed and treated the infection. After 10 days in the hospital and three months on IV medication, Reed was given a clean bill of health!
We will forever be grateful to WakeMed!
Reed (son of WRAL-TV’s Sloane Heffernan) celebrates his WakeMed Scrub Run 5k finish by having the WakeMed logo painted on his face. The staff at WakeMed nursed him back to health after he got a deadly infection 5 years ago.
The pair finished the race and then enjoyed some of the family activities together.
“I thought it was especially sweet that Reed asked to have the WakeMed logo painted on his face at the end of the event,” said Heffernan. “It was a great day!”
Kelly has also been to WakeMed with each of his twins.
“This is my second year being involved with the Scrub Run which raises money and awareness for Wake Med Children’s Hospital,” said Kelly. “Unfortunately, I have visited them on several occasions with Aiden and Olivia too when she fell off her bike and split her chin open.”
Happy to support WakeMed, Kelly also offered some of his trademark humor when asked about the day.
“Last year, I was a spectator and just did a live broadcast from the event, but this year I decided to participate,” said Kelly. “I don’t want to brag, but I’m pretty sure I beat Sloane’s time…though her son did beat me in the 100 yard Kids Dash.”
Thanks to WRAL-FM’s Barbara Purtee for contributions to this capcom story. Thanks to Purtee and WRAL-TV’s Sloane Heffernan for these capcom photos.
WRAL-FM’s Jim Kelly and WRAL-TV’s Sloane Heffernan participate in the WakeMed Scrub Run on Saturday, June 20, 2015.
Reed (son of WRAL-TV’s Sloane Heffernan) celebrates his WakeMed Scrub Run 5k finish by having the WakeMed logo painted on his face. The staff at WakeMed nursed him back to health after he got a deadly infection 5 years ago.
Reed (son of WRAL-TV’s Sloane Heffernan) celebrates along with his dad and WakeMed staff his release from the hospital after 10 days fighting a deadly infection in 2010.
