NYC Radio: WCBS-FM Airs Live From Blythedale Children's Hospital

For the past twenty-one-years, WCBS 101.1 FM personality Scott Shannon has brought his live morning broadcast to the halls of Blythedale Children's Hospital in Valhalla, NY. The annual event not only brings awareness to the organization’s plight but also serves to bring some much needed holiday cheer to the patients and parents at the hospital.

Each year, Shannon’s morning team (WCBS-FM and WPLJ over the years) as well as radio station staff, and celebrity guests (Rob Thomas, Harry Connick, Jr, Cyndi Lauper, and Bon Jovi, are among many who have donated their time over the years) get together at the hospital for a broadcast, Rock N’ Roll charity auction, and live performances with the musical help of Tim McLoone’s Holiday Express. It’s a massive holiday party for the children and parents currently at the hospital for care as well as children and adults who have gone through treatments at the facility.

Thanks @ScottShannonDJ @ThisIsRobThomas @jason_mraz @Jax @markriveramusic @SalTheVoice @Six13Sings @HolidayExpress & countless others who filled @Blythedale with love, laughter & lyrics today! Please visit our auction site to help benefit the Hospital https://t.co/6iL3Wtcv0X pic.twitter.com/iwQkUoVvbL

— Children's Hospital (@Blythedale) December 15, 2017

As this year’s musical guests Jason Mraz, Rob Thomas, Mark Rivera, Sal Valentinetti, and Jax wandered the halls singing to children who were unable to make it into the party room — Jason and his merry singers were stopped in the halls by a past patient, Jonas Urena and his ukulele. After getting his guitar signed by the celebs, Jonas easily transitioned into singing Mraz’s 2008 hit song “I’m Yours,” and received the full backing support of the day’s guests.



During this year's event, Singer Jason Mraz recently gave a musical memory to a former patient and resident at New York’s Blythedale Children’s Hospital when he sang his hit “I’m Yours” with musician and student Jonas Urena.

Urena was a patient and resident at Blythedale Children’s Hospital from late August 2015 until Christmas Eve 2015 after being diagnosed with a rare syndrome called Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) after acquiring a stomach virus while on summer vacation. Just when he was starting his senior year of high school, Urena continued to go to Blythedale High School – Mt. Pleasant until April of 2016 as a day hospital out-patient.

GBS caused Urena to become paralyzed in the arms and legs. Unable to walk, change his own clothes, brush his own teeth, bathe, eat, or take care of basic necessities, Urena was devastated because, as he told 1010 WINS, “music is my life and I play, sing, and write music a lot.”