Media Release
Second Annual On Air: for Healthcare Radiothon Coming in May
March 21st 2017
2ND ANNUAL ON AIR FOR HEALTHCARE RADIOTHON COMING IN MAY
Battlefords Union Hospital (BUH) Foundation and CJNB/Q98/93.3 The Rock/ BattlefordsNOW of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group have once again partnered to raise funds to provide enhanced healthcare in The Battlefords and surrounding communities. The 2017 On Air for Healthcare Radio-thon will take place in BUH’s main lobby, Friday May 12th with broadcasting starting at 6:00am on all three radio stations. Funds raised are for BUH Foundation’s 2017 capital campaign “Every Little Bit Counts: every little aching ear, tender nose and sore throat” and will be directed towards the purchase of surgical equipment for BUH’s recently recruited Ears, Nose & Throat (ENT) surgeon.
BUH Foundation and the local radio stations’ first Radio-thon in 2016 was hugely successful and raised most of the $600,000 BUH Foundation had committed to the purchase of a new CT scanner for the Medical Imaging Department at BUH. “We are well into the process of procuring the new CT scanner and getting it installed” noted Cheryl Mitchell, Director, Medical Imaging Services, Prairie North Health Region, adding “Our focus is always on the patient first and we want to ensure that the type of CT scanner purchased is one that fits the needs of our community. I am grateful to the Foundation and the radio stations as well everyone that donated to this project.”
The 2016 Radio-thon success was accomplished through various on-air testimonials from previous patients and/or family members who had a personal connection to CT scanner diagnostic capabilities. Local business employees from NorSask Farm Equipment and River City Plumbing & Heating donations were matched by their employers. Organizations such as Battleford’s Lions Club had organized their fundraising events, that year, to be donated to the CT scanner and presented the cheque on air during the Radio-thon. There were challenges from businesses to other businesses; there were personal challenges like Dr Matt Pruden challenged all dentists to match his donation. Chris Odishaw of Battlefords Furniture came in and challenged everyone listening that if they donate up to $10,000 in an hour he would match it…and he did!! Bridges Chev Buick GMC pledged they would donate $100 for every car they sold that day. Many donations were made in memory of friends and loved ones. There were grandparents who called in and donated $100 for each of their grandchildren, whose names were read on-air. Parents came to the hospital with their kids, who made a donation, got to speak on the radio and learned the value of giving back. Organizers of the 2017 On Air for Healthcare Radio-thon are looking forward to similar involvement and participation for the “Every Little Bit Counts” ENT campaign.
“Having our second On Air for Healthcare Radio-thon is an exciting venture and we are pleased to partner, and have the support of the local radio stations in ensuring continued exceptional patient care at BUH. Hours and hours of airtime are donated and is very influential in the successful outcome of the On Air for Healthcare Radio-thon,” noted Michael Zaychkowsky, BUH Foundation’s Board of Directors Chair, adding “thank you to all who donated and please join us again on May 12th.”
“CJNB/Q98/93.3 The Rock are proud to be part of ensuring continued exceptional patient care at BUH for The Battlefords and surrounding communities residents and we are pleased to be able to support local healthcare through the On Air for Healthcare Radio-thon” added Karl Johnston, General Manager, The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, Saskatchewan.
If you have any questions or wish to support this fundraiser through an event of your own please come to the Foundation office at BUH or call 306 446 6652.
For more information please contact:
Claudette McGuire, Executive Director
BUH Foundation
306 446 6652
About Battlefords Union Hospital (BUH) Foundation:
Battlefords Union Hospital (BUH) Foundation is dedicated to enriching patient care at BUH through responsible stewardship of community contributions and volunteer resources. BUH Foundation, operating independently of other healthcare organizations, is the main fundraising agency of BUH and provides funding for the purchase of capital/non-capital equipment and staff education. Through a bequest from Victor Pearsall in 2011, BUH Foundation began the Victor Pearsall Home Care Fund allowing funding for Battlefords Region Home Care. For more information about BUH Foundation visit www.buhfoundation.com.
About the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group:
The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group is one of Canada’s premier radio and television companies. The Group combines over 90 years of broadcasting expertise and proudly serves the needs of listeners, viewers, advertisers and communities throughout the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Their mission statement, “Working together, we’re stronger than ever” is the base of what the Broadcast Group stands for and their success in the past and future achievements. Locally, radio stations CJNB/Q98/93.3 The Rock and BattlefordsNOW are deeply invested in The Battlefords and surrounding communities they broadcast into, as evidenced through their support to community initiatives and airtime to charities.
