6501 Broadway Extension, Suite 190
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
www.chfKids.com
Contact: Jeremiah Lane 405-833-3437
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1/17/17
Soonerthon Sets Goal of $1 Million for Children’s Hospital Foundation
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. (JANUARY 17, 2017) – Students from the University of Oklahoma (Soonerthon) look to raise
more than $1 million to benefit the sick and injured children of Oklahoma through Children’s Hospital Foundation (CHF),
an affiliate of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH). The 21st annual Soonerthon, presented by the University of
Oklahoma Campus Activities Council and Student Life will take place Sat., March 4, 2017 at the Sarkeys Fitness Center.
OU students will stand 12 hours in support of the kids who can't and in celebration of the year-long fundraising efforts.
“We are grateful for the tremendous passion and energy that OU students exert while raising awareness and funds for
Children’s Hospital Foundation,” said Kathy McCracken, Chief Executive Officer. “To see such commitment and genuine
spirit of philanthropy through college students is inspiring to all.”
Many miracle children will spend 12 hours a week in dialysis or chemo-therapy, as well as a majority of nurses and
doctors will stand on their feet 12 hours during a shift at the Children's Hospital. Soonerthon's motto is: "We cannot be
present in the treatment room, but we can show our support by standing in their place."
“Soonerthon 2017 is focused around the “why” and connecting OU students with our miracle kids,” said Nik Scott, Vice
Chair of CAC Soonerthon. “We know that great results are based off of passion and if we can give everyone a reason
“why” they should be invested in Oklahoma’s children, we can make miracles happen. Therefore, we created our
campaign title “One Million Reasons Why” and it was perfect for our mission.”
The evolution of Soonerthon’s success can only exemplify the passion instilled on the University of Oklahoma’s campus.
The inaugural event was held in 1997, raised $19,000. The yearly totals only increased in the following 19 years raising
more than $2.5 million for CHF. The support from students, university departments, sponsors and donors was constant
throughout the year and imperative to the success of Soonerthon’s 2016 total of $721.941.16.
Soonerthon has received a $20,000 underwriting sponsorship from Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores as a national
partnership with Miracle Network Dance Marathon. Soonerthon was one of three Oklahoma programs that were
selected.
“At Love’s, we are huge fans of Soonerthon and the work these OU students do to raise money for sick and injured kids
in our home state,” said Jenny Love Meyer, vice president of communications for Love’s Travel Stops. “We began our
partnership four years ago and have been delighted to see the students outperform their fundraising goals each year.
We are confident Soonerthon can reach its milestone goal of raising $1 million this year for the kids!”
As one of the top ten out of more than 300 national Miracle Network Dance Marathon programs across the United
States, Soonerthon consistently raises a larger amount each year resulting in significant funds to help Children’s Hospital
Foundation make a huge impact on the lives of Oklahoma’s children.
“Combining our campaign of “One Million Reasons Why” and the goal of $1 million is giving students the motivation to
hit a goal by connecting them with the incredible cause,” said Jordan Smicklas, Executive Chairman of CAC Soonerthon.
“Coming into Soonerthon 2017, I was asked many times when we would hit the $1 million mark. We all hope that it will
be March 4, 2017 and we will celebrate with the miracle families who are directly impacted by our mission.”
Soonerthon will attempt to raise $100,000 dollars towards their end goal in one day on Jan. 25, 2017. Last year, they
raised more than $80,000 in one day with a similar campaign.
To support Soonerthon’s mission or Children’s Hospital Foundation, please call Linzy Hall, at 405-271-8430 Ext. 2 or visit
www.chfKids.com.
ABOUT US:
Children’s Hospital Foundation is a nonprofit 501c (3) organization in Oklahoma improving the health of children. Since
its inception in 1983, Children’s Hospital Foundation, through its volunteer board, vast community support, and the
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals campaign has funded pediatric research and education programs including
collaborative projects with the OU Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, OU
Children’s Physicians and the University Hospitals Authority and Trust. For more information, contact CEO, Kathy
McCracken at 405.650.1718 or visit our website: www.chfkids.com
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