Miami Children’s Radio Lollipop Program Undergoes Digital Renovation

Published on: 4/4/2014

MIAMI, FL – Radio Lollipop, Miami Children’s Hospital’s (MCH) in-house radio station, has undergone a complete digital renovation to provide patients with state-of-the-art, child-friendly interactive entertainment. The volunteer-led program celebrated its grand re-opening with a luau-themed party for patients on April 3.

The enhancements include an interactive digital interface, which will enable patients to display artwork created during Radio Lollipop activity nights on monitors within the studio, a brand-new DJ booth with LED lighting and state-of-the-art equipment that provides music on-demand. The renovations are made possible by generous community donations as well as fundraising initiatives led by the volunteers who run the program.

“Radio Lollipop plays an essential role in the healing process, providing artful distraction that benefits hospitalized children and families alike,” said Michael Kushner, Chief Talent Officer at MCH. “We are grateful to those who have donated so generously to Radio Lollipop for their commitment to enriching the lives of the children in our care."

Miami-native Chrissie Fit, who stars as Cheechee in the Disney Channel Original Movie “Teen Beach Movie,” was among the celebrities who attended the celebration. “Music has positively affected my life since I was a child and I am so humbled to be able share in Radio Lollipop’s healing power of play. It’s amazing to see how music gives the patients a haven of normalcy during their hospital stay,” says Fit.

Volunteers at Radio Lollipop provide care, comfort, play and entertainment to children in the hospital. Three nights a week, the station’s volunteers ensure that hospitalized children are encouraged to participate in fun and learning activities. In its 18 years at MCH, Radio Lollipop has served more than half a million patients, siblings and families combined. To learn more about Radio Lollipop at Miami Children's Hospital, visit http://www.mch.com/radiolollipop.

About Radio Lollipop

Radio Lollipop is a 501(c) (3) that began in 1978 in Queens Mary, England, and believes in the healing power of play. Radio Lollipop sites, each with an in-house, fully-equipped radio station, is led by a vivacious team of volunteers that involve the patients and their families in recreational activities linked to radio programs that are child-focused, and filled with mentally stimulating fun and games. Many of the music programs are often presented by the patients themselves and volunteers also work with the children at the bedside playing games, reading books and otherwise encouraging them to participate in the radio broadcasts and win prizes. Miami Children's Hospital was the first hospital in the U.S. to house the program and still is only one of two hospitals in the U.S. who have it. In addition to the radio show, volunteers visit six hospital units each night handing out that day's activity. Five winners are selected for each unit accounting for the 90 prizes given out every week.