Manitobans tuned in and stepped up to make the first-ever virtual edition of the annual Radiothon of Hope & Healing, presented by the Vickar Automotive Group, a record-breaking success for patient care and research at St. Boniface Hospital. Amazing stories poured out of Radiothon guests all day as donations flooded in, November 27.
Radiothon shattered its one-day goal, posting a total of $165,001 raised through phone calls and online donations. It was exactly $15,000 more than the event raised in the previous year, and included contributions by several matching donors, as well as a personal donation of $3,001 made in the final hour by the Vickar family of Winnipeg – Larry (who is also a St. Boniface Hospital Foundation board member), Tova, Sam, Steven, Marie and Odessa.
In the past a spectacular affair held in the Hospital’s Everett Atrium, the event this year was kept strictly to the airwaves of 680 CJOB (along with sister stations [email protected] and Power 97), due to the pandemic and safety restrictions against large gatherings.
“We had an amazing lineup of former patients, Foundation donors, doctors, researchers and frontline healthcare staff calling in to share their personal stories with our radio listeners, inspiring the community to make gifts in support of patient care and research, even in these difficult times,” said Karen Fowler, Interim President and CEO of the Foundation.
Speaking to 680 CJOB at the end of the day, Radiothon sponsor Larry Vickar told listeners, “St. Boniface Hospital has affected us in such a positive way over the years, and it continues to, quite frankly.”
“To our family, extended family, our employees, and team members, the Hospital is a real and central place for us all to get the health care that we’ve needed over the years, and for so many Manitobans to get the same.”
The virtual edition of Radiothon still let Manitobans from all walks of life show their appreciation for the Hospital, added Vickar. “It’s not easy these days; the health and financial conditions that we have on the street are not easy, for anybody. We are all affected. But at the same time, people are showing us that this is a significant institution that helps all Manitobans, and they are stepping up. I can’t repeat that often enough,” he said.
Fowler, in thanking the Vickar Automotive Group and all the many Radiothon of Hope & Healing donors, agreed. “These are difficult times for some folks, as Larry mentioned. But it is amazing to see how people step up for each other in this province,” she said.
Don’t wait until next year’s Radiothon! Support patient care and research today.