Each December, Variety – the Children’s Charity raises vital funds to refill the Compassion Fund at hospitals across Iowa. This special fund provides immediate relief for local families facing the unimaginable - a child in critical care.
Families like Jovie’s know firsthand how much that support means.
“At six weeks old, Jovie had a very high fever, so we went to the Emergency Room right away,” her mom shared. “After several tests, we learned she had bacterial meningitis that had been missed during my pregnancy. We were looking at a 15-day stay in the hospital for IV medication and monitoring.”
As a stay-at-home mom with three other young children, the days ahead were overwhelming. “Our biggest challenge was figuring out who could take care of the girls while we stayed with Jovie,” she said. “When the nurses told us we could receive help from the Variety Compassion Fund, it was a godsend. We used the funds for grocery pickup to make things easier for our family who came to help.”
That support made all the difference.
“When you’re in such a low point, not knowing the outcome for your baby, help like this takes away some of the stress. It truly lifted a burden. Today, Jovie is healthy and meeting her milestones - we’re so thankful for the extra support we received.”
You can help provide that same comfort to other Iowa families by tuning in to Variety’s Two Days of Compassion Radiothon, December 11 & 12. Listen live on WHO Radio and 1460 KXnO statewide, or 104.5 KDAT in eastern Iowa.
Together, we can give Iowa families the gift of compassion this holiday season.
Tune in. Listen. Give.
