Health Care Heroes Radiothon Inspires Giving
The CKNX Health Care Heroes Radiothon took to the airwaves on Saturday with a mission to inspire support for local hospitals in mid-western Ontario. And, they succeeded.
When the seven-hour broadcast was over they had raised $375,209 for vital health care projects for hospitals in Mount Forest, Wingham, Palmerston, Walkerton, Listowel, Clinton, Hanover and Seaforth.
Amy Van Huss of the The Mount Forest Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation says every year since 2002, the CKNX Health Care Heroes Radiothon has dedicated a day to helping local hospitals share their message and inspire giving within their communities. This year, the Radiothon was broadcast on AM920 from 9am-4pm and featured heartwarming patient stories, interviews highlighting each foundation’s fundraising goals and projects, and motivational challenges encouraging listeners to make a donation and become a “Health Care Hero”. In addition to the on-air broadcast, many of the participating hospital foundations also held in-person events to support their cause, including community breakfasts, photo sessions and bake sales.
Prior to going on air, each foundation selected an important project for which they were raising funds, including essential equipment like hematology analyzers, IT support and upgrades, patient beds, laboratory equipment and vital signs monitors. The cost of capital equipment in Ontario hospitals is not supported through government funding, so these projects depend on gifts made from within the community. A number of philanthropic businesses and organizations, including Germania Mutual Insurance, Bruce Power, Howick Mutual Insurance, and Axiom Mutual Insurance directed their support towards multiple participating hospital foundations.
Since the first Radiothon 23 years ago, the CKNX Health Care Heroes Radiothon has raised a grand total of $14,874,093 for local healthcare. For many of the participating hospitals, Radiothon is one of their major fundraising campaigns each year, helping them to fund essential capital projects and equipment.
For anyone who would still like to contribute, text giving is open until the end of October and you can make a $10 donation simply by texting the word HERO followed by the name of the hospital you are supporting to 41010. Alternately you can visit cknx.ca/health-care-heroes-radiothon.
