Newsroom
January 30, 2018
Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Radiothon in Saskatoon Returns for 16th Year
The 16th Annual Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Radiothon kicks off January 31 at 6 a.m. at The Centre Mall for three full days of live broadcasting on 600 CJWW, 92.9 The Bull, and 98Cool FM. As Saskatchewan’s largest annual fundraiser for Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, the event raises funds to help support babies, kids, moms and families province-wide.
“As we continue to build towards a world-class centre of maternal and pediatric excellence, it is the very families of our province who will soon experience exceptional and enhanced care at home thanks to our generous and supportive community,” says Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. “We are so grateful for all those who play a part in the funding of our new provincial hospital and the life-saving equipment we need to fill it.”
Eleven-year-old Blake Wheeler of Saskatoon joins this year’s broadcast as child ambassador to share his remarkable story of turbulence and triumph as a premature baby. After losing his twin brother shortly after birth, Blake has set out to inspire many on why life-saving pediatric equipment is needed right here in Saskatchewan. 
“We are eternally grateful for the care Blake received during his 4 month stay in the NICU. He has come a long way from the tiny 1lb 12oz baby that we welcomed in 2006,” says Blake’s mom Alicia. “We were completely terrified, not knowing what his future held. He is now a happy, healthy 11 year old boy who enjoys baseball, hockey and biking with friends. Having a children’s hospital here in Saskatchewan filled with life-saving equipment is necessary to provide the medical care to sick and injured babies like Blake, and to give hope to parents and families who may be in the situation we were once in.”
Construction of the new provincial hospital is now 75% complete. Funds raised from the 2018 Children’s Hospital Radiothon will support a dedicated pediatric cardiology space and specialized equipment at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. It will also fund the urgent pediatric and maternal equipment needs of today such as a Video Laryngoscope to help newborn babies breathe easier and five Transcutaneous Monitors that dramatically reduce the need for needle pokes in newborn babies.
Last year’s event raised $431,409 for a 4D ultrasound for maternal care, an INVOS machine to help protect the brains of newborn babies and an AEEG Monitoring system for early detection of seizures in high-risk premature babies. Since it began in 2003, the event has raised over $5.1 million thanks to the generous support of local communities.
This year’s Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Radiothon is dedicated to nine-year-old Payton Sernick of Estevan, Saskatchewan’s ambassador for the Champions Program presented by Walmart Canada. Payton is undergoing extensive treatment for lymphoma, including surgery, at Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton. With overwhelming community support for Payton, Nutrien will match each donation made in Payton’s name up to $12,500. Donations may be made to Payton’s personal fundraising page or by calling 1-888-808-KIDS.
Throughout the 36 hours of live broadcasting from January 31 – February 2, Alliance Energy will be raising funds by donating $1 per “Like” to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Facebook Page and $1 per Tweet or Instagram Post featuring the #AllianceEnergy4Kids hashtag.
