Community Spotlight
The Rare Hour: Radio for Santa Clarita's Rare Disease Community
A weekly radio show amplifying the voices of the rare disease community in Santa Clarita Valley. Patient stories, caregiver resources, and local advocacy every Tuesday at 1 PM on KHTS Hometown Station.
August 27, 2026 · Sam Silver · 5 min read
Sam Silver
22-year SCV resident · REALTOR(R) · Community advocate · U.S. Army veteran
Santa Clarita Valley is special because of the people who live here and the way we show up for each other. When I learned about The Rare Hour, I knew this was a story worth telling. A radio show dedicated to the rare disease community is exactly the kind of thing that makes SCV a place where everyone belongs.
Community Radio
What Is The Rare Hour?
The Rare Hour is a community advocacy radio show that airs every Tuesday at 1:00 PM on KHTS Hometown Station, broadcasting on 98.1 FM and AM 1220, and also available as a podcast through hometownstation.com.
The show is hosted by Christopher (Chris) Velona, and it spotlights the rare disease community of the Santa Clarita Valley. Each episode brings forward patient and family stories, caregiver resources, health and wellness information, and conversations with local advocates who are working to make a difference.
For families navigating a rare diagnosis, the challenges can feel isolating. The Rare Hour exists to change that. It is a platform for connection, education, and community. It says to every family facing a rare disease: you are not alone, and your story matters.
Why It Matters
Why The Rare Hour Matters for SCV
Rare diseases affect an estimated 1 in 10 Americans. That means thousands of families right here in Santa Clarita Valley are navigating life with a rare condition. These families face unique challenges: difficulty finding specialists, limited treatment options, financial strain, and the emotional weight of feeling misunderstood or unseen.
The Rare Hour tackles these issues head on. By giving a voice to patients, caregivers, and the professionals who support them, the show builds awareness and fosters a more informed and compassionate community.
Topics covered on the show include navigating the healthcare system, finding financial assistance, mental health support for caregivers, and connecting with local resources. It is a program designed not just to inform, but to empower.
For a community like Santa Clarita Valley, where we pride ourselves on looking out for one another, The Rare Hour represents the best of what local media can do: meet a real need and amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard.
In Action
A Recent Episode That Shows the Show's Heart
On August 25, 2026, The Rare Hour aired an episode featuring Fred Arnold of 360 Suites, a local business owner who opened his spaces free of charge to businesses and individuals affected by the devastating August 24, 2026 fire in Old Town Newhall.
This episode shows exactly what makes The Rare Hour special. Even when the topic is not directly about a rare disease, the show's mission is rooted in community support. Fred Arnold's act of generosity is exactly the kind of story Christopher Velona brings to the microphone: people stepping up to help others in their time of need.
You can listen to that episode here:
Meet the Host
Christopher Velona: A Voice for the Rare Disease Community
Christopher Velona brings a deeply personal understanding to his role as host of The Rare Hour. His commitment to the rare disease community is rooted in lived experience and a genuine desire to create a platform where families feel seen and heard.
Under his guidance, The Rare Hour has become a vital resource for the Santa Clarita Valley. Each week, listeners tune in for honest conversations, practical information, and the kind of community connection that makes a real difference in people's lives.
Chris's approach is warm, professional, and deeply respectful of the stories his guests share. He understands that for many families, speaking publicly about a rare diagnosis is a vulnerable act, and he handles that trust with care.
How to Listen
How to Tune In to The Rare Hour
You have two ways to listen:
Live on the Radio
Tune in every Tuesday at 1:00 PM on KHTS Hometown Station, broadcasting on 98.1 FM or AM 1220 across the Santa Clarita Valley.
Podcast on Demand
Missed a show or want to listen on your own schedule? All episodes are available as a podcast through the KHTS website. Browse past episodes and subscribe at the official podcast page:
Whether you are a patient, a caregiver, a healthcare professional, or simply a community member who wants to understand and support your neighbors, The Rare Hour is a show worth your time.
Community Connection
Why Community Radio Matters
In an age of national media and streaming algorithms, local radio still does something that nothing else can: it speaks directly to our community about the things that matter to us.
The Rare Hour is proof that local media is alive and well in Santa Clarita Valley. It is a show built on the belief that every story matters, every voice deserves to be heard, and every neighbor deserves to feel supported.
For the rare disease community especially, this kind of representation is invaluable. Rare does not mean alone. In Santa Clarita Valley, it means you have a community that will show up for you with a microphone, a willing ear, and an open heart.
And that is what this site is all about. Right here on our home page, you will also find coverage of our community's fire recovery efforts after the devastating Old Town Newhall fire. Shows like The Rare Hour remind us that even as we recover from one challenge, there are always neighbors facing other struggles who need our attention and care. That is the SCV way.
Tune In, Santa Clarita
Set your radio to 98.1 FM or AM 1220 every Tuesday at 1 PM. Or bookmark the podcast page and listen whenever you need a reminder that this community cares. The Rare Hour is more than a show. It is a lifeline. It is a gathering place. It is Santa Clarita Valley at its best.
Sam Silver is a 22-year veteran REALTOR(R) and community advocate serving Santa Clarita Valley. CalDRE #01412755. Equity Union Real Estate.
Sam Silver, CalDRE #01412755, is a REALTOR(R) with Equity Union Real Estate, 25124 Springfield Court Suite 100, Valencia, CA 91355. This article was written as a community resource and is not intended as a solicitation if you are currently working with another real estate broker. All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Show schedules, hosts, and availability are subject to change by KHTS Hometown Station.