Newsroom
February 3, 2016
14th Annual Children’s Hospital Radiothon returns to Saskatoon with $100,000 Match
Saskatchewan’s largest annual fundraiser for the new provincial maternal and children’s hospital, the Children’s Hospital Radiothon presented by SaskEnergy Network Members, returns to the airwaves today in Saskatoon. Broadcasting live from The Centre Mall on 600 CJWW, 98COOL FM, and 92.9 The Bull for the next three days, the 14th Annual Children’s Hospital Radiothon features a dollar-for-dollar match up to $100,000 from the Sandra Schmirler Foundation.
“The plumbing and heating contractors who make up SaskEnergy’s Network Members are privileged to be associated with the 14th Annual Children’s Hospital Radiothon,” says spokesperson Charmaine Elmgren from Saskatoon’s Centennial 360. “We urge everyone to call in their pledge so that Saskatchewan children can receive the care they need, close to family and friends. On behalf of the SaskEnergy Network Members, and our partners’ employees, we are proud to kick off this year’s Radiothon with an additional cheque for $5,348 in staff fundraising and we challenge other Saskatchewan businesses to rally employee support for this worthy cause.”
Eleven-year-old Calla Gross is this year’s Children’s Hospital Radiothon Ambassador. The Saskatoon girl was born 13 weeks early, weighing just over 2 pounds. With the medical team trying to stabilize her, her parents Derek and Vicki only had a moment to touch their tiny daughter’s hand in the isolette before she was rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where she spent the next two months. That experience forever changed the family, inspiring Calla and her parents to give back.
“The Children’s Hospital Radiothon is a remarkable and emotional event that brings together supporters, donors, medical staff, and families in need of a children’s hospital,” says Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. “You can’t help but be inspired to help make a difference as you listen to their incredible stories.”
Funds raised at this year’s event will support a much-needed new pediatric ambulance and the new Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan, which began construction last year. Since it began in 2003, the Children’s Hospital Radiothon has raised over $4 million for both urgent pediatric equipment needs and the province’s new maternal and children’s hospital.
