November 4, 2020

Children’s Hospital Radiothon supporting kids needing kidney care

Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Radiothon is going province-wide on Nov. 4 and 5 to help support Saskatchewan’s Children’s Kidney Health Program.

This year’s Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Radiothon presented by CIBC Wood Gundy features 23 radio stations from across the province. Over the next two days, listeners will hear inspiring stories from kids, families, doctors, supporters and sponsors from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Donations from the two-day event will be used to help open the very first pediatric Hemodialysis Unit for kids right here in Saskatchewan as part of the Children’s Kidney Health Program. The Children’s Kidney Health Program currently offers peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation as treatment options to replace kidney function. The Hemodialysis Unit will help keep families closer to home both when hemodialysis is the only option or while awaiting a kidney transplant. Saskatchewan’s children’s hospital is currently the only one in Canada that does not offer hemodialysis.

In addition to the Hemodialysis Unit, funds will also support the creation of four sites across the province to perform special tests for kids with high blood pressure due to kidney failure. These tests are called Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring. These monitors are worn for 24-48 hours and perform multiple blood pressure readings during the day and through the night.

Donations to this year’s event will be matched up to $100,000 by the estate of Bernice Harrison, who along with her husband Mervin, left a legacy of volunteerism and philanthropy in the areas of families and health. Listeners also have the chance to triple their donation, thanks to various power hour matching sponsors.

Saskatoon listeners can hear the Radiothon by tuning in to 600 CJWW and 96.3 CRUZ FM on both days, or 650 CKOM and C95 on Nov. 5. Regina listeners can turn the dial to 620 CKRM, Play 92.1, and 104.9 The Wolf. Stations from Prince Albert include Power99, Beach Radio 101.5 and 900 CKBI, while North Battleford stations include 1050 CJNB, Q98 and 93.3 The ROCK. Fox FM and GX94 from Yorkton, as well as CJVR FM and 750 Beach Radio from Melfort are also broadcasting the Radiothon. Listeners can also tune into 107.5 Bolt FM in Humboldt, 800 CHAB in Moose Jaw and Country 104.9 FM in Kindersley. The Eagle 94.1 FM in Swift Current, Cat Country 98.1 FM in Assiniboia, and AM 1190 Radio in Weyburn are also broadcasting the event.

“We need your help to make this important program a reality. Your donation to this year’s Radiothon will help open the province’s very first pediatric Hemodialysis Unit, as well as create Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring satellite sites across Saskatchewan. Right now enhancements like these are vital, as they will help families receive the care they need closer to home,” said Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.

“CIBC Wood Gundy’s ongoing annual support for Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation is in perfect alignment with the goals and objectives of our long time CIBC Miracle Day initiative. That proud tradition has helped to improve the lives of millions of children since it began in 1984. Since its inception, CIBC Miracle Day has raised over $100,000,000 for children’s charities across Canada and $250,000,000 globally,” said Todd Dixon, Branch Manager, CIBC Wood Gundy Regina Branch.

“Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital stands as arguably the greatest symbol of commitment to our province’s children that has ever been undertaken, but the physical completion of the facility is not an endpoint. Now we have to work hard to ensure the ongoing financial sustainability and evolution of the facility for generations of children to come. Our ongoing CIBC Miracle Day commitment allows us at CIBC Wood Gundy to be part of that going forward,” Dixon said.

Since the very first Radiothon 18 years ago, more than $13.3 million has been raised for Saskatchewan kids and moms in hospital.