November 23, 2023
680 CJOB listeners enjoyed a beautiful day of storytelling, laughs, and heartfelt moments during the Radiothon of Hope and Healing on November 17, presented by the Vickar Automotive Group.
Manitobans gave an astounding $250,000 for vital projects like a revitalized Emergency Department, paving the way to the best patient care. Local hosts from 680CJOB , Power97, and Peggy @ 99.1 brought inspiring stories to life from St. Boniface Hospital caregivers, researchers, donors, and grateful patients whose lives have been changed by compassionate care.
The generosity of each and every supporter – including donors, sponsors, volunteers, Hospital staff, and those who bought tickets for the day’s 50/50 draw – made the day a spectacular success.
Before announcing the day’s grand total, Foundation President and CEO Karen Fowler reflected on what events like this mean to patient care. “The dollars raised through the Radiothon make an incredible difference at St. B. They support our most critical needs at the Hospital to better care for Manitobans, one of those being our Emergency Department redevelopment. It’s a huge undertaking, but it’s really amazing what we can accomplish.”
Over two decades in the making
The fundraising event, which has been raising money for patient care and medical research at St. Boniface Hospital for 22 years, is a day of storytelling that illustrates how much donors are able to enhance the experiences of Hospital patients and their families. All funds raised go directly towards providing the best care to Manitobans in their urgent times of need.
This year, our community made amazing things happen for the Hospital’s Emergency Department redevelopment and expansion project, scheduled to open in 2025. A significantly larger treatment area, private rooms for families to make difficult decisions with dignity, a new critical care resuscitation zone, and more will become a reality, thanks to donors.
Volunteers and Foundation staff were all ears as donors phoned in their gifts on event day, as well as giving online. Hospital staff were treated with gift cards from Brighten Their Day Sponsors, bringing smiles to the faces of dedicated staff and volunteers. The hallway leading to the Buhler Gallery, where hosts shared tender moments with guests, became Hope and Healing Avenue. It was truly a day of magic at St. B.
“Winnipeg punches way above its weight in charitable giving.”
“St. Boniface Hospital has been, is, and probably will be a relevant part of most Manitobans’ lives at some point,” remarked Larry Vickar, head of the Vickar Automotive Group and longtime Radiothon presenting sponsor. “Our supporters of Radiothon, like most Manitobans, all see the importance of giving. They say Winnipeg punches way above its weight in charitable giving, and today’s another example of that.”
Days like Radiothon are where compassion from our donors creates the compassion we see in care. The continued engagement of Hospital and Foundation supporters makes the world of a difference for patients who are often experiencing some of their worst moments. Together as a community, we make amazing things happen.
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