Scott Shannon and Patty Steele Raise $582,000 for Blythedale in Final Broadcast with WCBS-FM

Everyone's favorite day of the year at Blythedale is the day that legendary morning show host and Radio Hall of Fame Inductee Scott Shannon broadcasts his final show of the year live from the room named in his honor at the Hospital. This one was bittersweet however, as it was Shannon and co-host Patty Steele's last broadcast with WCBS-FM. 

Shannon has been a longtime supporter both professionally and personally of Blythedale’s mission, and has helped raise more than $5 million through his radio benefits over the past 31 years. This year's event alone brought in more than than $580,000 dollars in support of the Hospital's Infant and Toddler Unit, including a $414,000 donation from Blythedale's Board of Trustees in honor of Shannon and Steele. Blythedale Board of Trustees Vice Chair Peter Rittmaster stopped by to thank Shannon personally for introducing him to Blythedale in 1996, and for his enduring support of the Hospital. Longtime supporter Gene Ferrara also thanked Shannon in emotional remarks, for his years of service to his listeners. Ferrara presented a check for $66,625 on behalf of JMA Consultants and his colleagues. 

A "rock 'n roll" auction to benefit Blythedale raised more than $36,000, with top bids for Taylor Swift tickets and VIP experiences with the New York Yankees and New York Giants. The Hospital also sold commemorative T-shirts in honor of the co-hosts' long-standing support.

Shannon and Steele were joined during the show by colleagues and friends, including CBS meteorologist John Elliott, Bill Evans (meteorologist and former weatherman for WABC-TV), WCBS-FM's Broadway Bill Lee and Race Taylor, and Shannon's former traffic reporters, Sue Aller and Joe Nolan. Parents also shared the incredible stories of their children's recovery at Blythedale, and their gratitude for their caregivers.

Shannon recounted the story of how he first learned of Blythedale, reading a story in the newspaper about a second grader from Connecticut, who suffered a terrible traumatic brain injury after colliding with a car while riding his bike. Shannon was moved to visit the youngster who was recovering at Blythedale, and he and his then six-year-old daughter, Kathleen, picked a gold guardian angel ornament off his own Christmas tree to bring to him. They hung the angel over the child's bed, and asked a nurse on the unit to give them a tour. As Shannon recalls, "that was the day I fell in love with Blythedale Children's Hospital."

As the broadcast neared the end, Blythedale President & CEO Larry Levine presented Shannon and Steele with crystal Swarovski angel ornaments, thanking them for being the guardian angels of the Hospital and its patients. 

"Scott and Patty have been guardian angels over the beds of countless infants, children and teenagers who have directly benefited not only from the more than $5 million dollars they've brought in, and the incalculable awareness they've raised about our programs and services, but from their abundant love and tireless commitment to Blythedale Children's Hospital and our patients," said Levine. "Their legacy is felt within every inch of this building, most notably in this space named in their honor where we've had the privilege to host them for 31 years."

Patients and staff enjoyed live performances by Tim McLoone and Holiday Express, American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis, legendary saxaphonist Mark Rivera of Billy Joel's band, a capella group Six13, teen sensation Jake Thistle, and virtual performances by Matchbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas (back for his 23rd consecutive appearance), and Jax (American Idol finalist and Billboard Top 5 Hit “Victoria’s Secret”).

After Shannon and Steele signed off, the Hospital held a thunderous clap-out in their honor, with Shannon sharing his signature close on the way out, saying "I love this Hospital, and bye, buckaroos."

There's still time to support the event or buy a commemorative T-shirt. Click here for more information.

Watch a wrap-up from the emotional final show below: