The 19th annual 800 CHAB Family First Radiothon, organized in partnership with the Moose Jaw Health Foundation (MJHF), wrapped up after two full days of donations on May 1st and 2nd, successfully raising $252,031 to purchase new equipment for newborns and their mothers at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital.
Each year, 800 CHAB’s Rob Carnie and a crew of helpers and volunteers set up in the Town ‘n’ Country Mall for the two-day event. From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., it’s a non-stop live radio show, featuring frequent guests such as local MLAs, major sponsors, healthcare professionals from the Wigmore, and others, many with heart-warming stories to tell about how the care they and their loved ones received at Moose Jaw’s hospital.
Past years have fundraised for state-of-the-art equipment in virtually every part of the hospital, including
The goal of this year’s 19th Radiothon was to raise $140,000 for:
- Fetal heart monitor (wireless) – measures the heart rate and rhythm of the baby, allowing medical professionals to monitor the baby’s health prior to birth.
- Neonatal Cardiac Monitors – help track a baby's heart rate and overall cardiac function. These monitors can detect any issues with the heart, helping medical professionals address potential problems promptly.
- Base Station – records and alerts medical professionals if there are any changes in the condition of the mother or babies.
- Panda bed – provides a warm, safe, and secure environment for those babies requiring extra medical assistance after birth.
About 500 babies are born each year at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore, and each donation helps to ensure that the Dr. F.H. Wigmore’s Women's Health Unit has the latest equipment to give doctors, nurses, and other professionals all the tools possible for the most successful outcome.
Major donations to the Radiothon this year include
- Brandt - $2,000
- MJ Co-op - $1,000
- Sask Water - $2,000
- Lady Auxiliary - $7,500
- Sask Tel - $1,000
- CPKC - $30,000
- Healthcare Rocks! Elton Rohn concert - $42,000
- Golden West Trailers - $50,000
- Canadian Tire - $2,000
- Studio Orange - $1,100
- Simpson Seeds - $25,000
- CAE - $1,000
- Sandra Schmirler Foundation - $35,000
- Greg & Elaine McKeown - $2,000
Last year’s 18th edition raised $229,880 for the purchase of cardiac equipment, including an automated CPR machine, Holter Monitor, medication carts, stretchers, and an EGC Mac 5500.
The year before, it was equipment including a specialized critical care bed, a glidescope, an ultrasound probe, and a QuickThaw Plasma System, and they raised $592,533 after starting with a goal of $150,000. That was thanks to a last-minute, $400,000 estate gift from Jack and Ruby Radu through the Hospital Auxiliary — that gift ended up renovating four surgical suites with state-of-the-art surgery systems.
Over its lifetime, the 800 CHAB Family First Radiothon has raised more than $5.6 million to support the hospital through the Health Foundation.
Learn more on the Moose Jaw Health Foundation website at www.mjhf.org, including information on the next MJHF fundraiser, the Little Princess Ball on May 24 and 25 at the Temple Gardens Centre — get your tickets at Sasktix.ca.