Thread: Telethon WA

I haven't heard of telethons in years. I didn't think they still ran them.

Well done WA.

Originally Posted by p38arover

I haven't heard of telethons in years. I didn't think they still ran them.

They don't in most places. Telethon WA has been run continuously since 1968 and raises significant funds for the Telethon Kids Institute in WA every year.

That money goes into a number of research projects and other initiatives to improve the lives of sick kids and some of the research performed in pediatric oncology has been significant over the years.

Originally Posted by BradC

They don't in most places. Telethon WA has been run continuously since 1968 and raises significant funds for the Telethon Kids Institute in WA every year.

That money goes into a number of research projects and other initiatives to improve the lives of sick kids and some of the research performed in pediatric oncology has been significant over the years.

I remember being over there for work and watching it on TV one night, it seems to be particularly successful and a real throwback to the golden era of television.


Regards,
Tote

Originally Posted by Tote

I remember being over there for work and watching it on TV one night, it sees to be particularly successful and a real throwback to the golden era of television.

It's interesting. Other stations have tried. Channel 9 ran a "competing" Appealathon for years. I know they came and went on the East coast, but there is a persistence about Telethon that has never really been replicated. When you see the outcomes from some of the research, and you know someone (or are someone) who has directly benefited from the funds raised it becomes a very personal thing.

The sheer quantity of volunteers required to make the thing work is astonishing and up until a few years ago it attracted real stars (both national and international) from across all facets of media and entertainment. Sometime in the last 10 odd years it became more of a marketing vehicle for Network 7 "stars", but despite turning it into a marketing exercise for 7's "talent" the people of WA have maintained the cause and it continues to exceed expectations in the funds raised.