2020 has been a challenging year for all of us due to COVID-19, despite that we at the Dr. Noble Irwin Healthcare Foundation were determined to have a successful Radiothon. There were many changes this year including a change of location to the Elmwood Golf Course and many safety protocols put in place to ensure the health and safety of all our volunteers, entertainers, donors and sponsors.
Once again, Southwest Saskatchewan has shown their generosity and made the 2020 Pharmasave Radiothon for Healthcare a great success! This year our Radiothon goal was to raise $150,000 towards the purchase a new 4K Ultra High Definition Laparoscopic Surgical Tower for the Cypress Regional Hospital. Thanks to all of our donors, sponsors and volunteers we raised $150,800!
This year’s focus for the Radiothon was the purchase of a “4K Ultra High Definition Laparoscopic Surgical Tower.” The Cypress Regional Hospital is the main hub for a variety of surgical procedures for patients from across the Southwest. Through its two surgical theatres, approximately 2,100 surgeries are performed annually which include 900 cataract and 1,200 other lifesaving procedures.
Of course, we would like to extend our gratitude to several people who made Radiothon run as smoothly as it did. Without donations, we don’t have a Radiothon, so thank you not only to our generous supporters and donors, but to the people who were responsible for taking those donations. Our phone bank was manned throughout Radiothon to accept donations from those who called in. (pictured at right, our special guests, and volunteers – The Hunter Brothers answering phones).
A big thank you also goes out to our sponsors! Pharmasave was our title sponsor once again for the ‘Pharmasave Radiothon for Healthcare’ and we thank them for their continued support (pictured at left making their donation). Also sponsoring this year was Swift Current Eagles Club, Great West Auto Electric – Bumper to Bumper, Hutch Ambulance Services, Pioneer Co-op, Innovation Credit Union, W.W. Smith Insurance, Cypress Regional Medical Association, Farm Credit Canada, Crescent Point and The Saskatchewan Realtors Association! Thank you to this year’s Prize Sponsors, Railway Social House, M&M Food Market, Smart Flowers, Rittinger’s Men’s Wear, Original Joe’s, Louie D’s, Ashley Homestore, Wine Creek, Black Bridge Brewery, and Living Sky Casino. To all who sponsored, thank you for helping Keep Healthcare Strong in the Southwest.
We were very excited to have Innovation Credit Union come on board with Radiothon this year offering a $30,000 matching donation! We gathered enough donations from those and calling in, that we were able to double Innovation Credit Union’s contribution for a total of $60,000!
Another great group that joined us this year in helping to reach our goal was the Cypress Regional Medication Association. Dr. Kozroski & Dr. Steenkamp spoke on the importance of purchasing a new 4K Laparoscopic Surgical Tower stating that is new technology will help the patients, doctors and help keep the best healthcare professionals close to home in the Southwest. We were so excited and grateful to receive their donation of $15,000 Friday afternoon during our broadcast that pushed us past our goal of $150,000!
A terrific addition to every single Radiothon is the talent that local performers come out and share with us as part of the broadcast. This year our performers were outstanding yet again. We wish to thank, Candace & Dillon Currie (pictured at right), and Jesse Gensorek for sharing their talents and their time to add a special touch to our broadcast!
Once again, thanks to the broadcasting group from Golden West Radio for all of their time, talents and efforts. This year, they worked with us to bring our Radiothon to all three local radio stations. Thank you to the Elmwood Golf Course who let us use their beautiful venue. Finally thank you to the people of Southwest Saskatchewan; the results of this year’s Pharmasave Radiothon for Healthcare speak for themselves with over $150,000 raised!