Announcing big money
Annual event raises $1,016,697 for hospital
Earlier this month, more than $1 million was raised for the Cape Breton Regional Hospital through the annual RadioDay event.
Held on Thursday, October 5, the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation, in partnership with 101.9 The Giant and New Country 103.5 broke records raising $1,016,697 for the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. That’s an increase of 44 per cent over last year’s total.
With the help of donors and the support of the community, RadioDay 2017 was an enormous success and the organizers couldn’t be more pleased.
“We can’t believe what this community has accomplished,” said Brad Jacobs, Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation CEO. “When Cape Breton comes together and rallies behind a cause, truly incredible things happen.”
Jacobs was appreciative of all those who helped make it happen.
“We’d like to thank our partners at the Giant 101.9 and New Country 103.5 as well as our committed volunteers, who have helped us strengthen healthcare for Cape Bretoners.”
On October 5, the airwaves of 101.9 the Giant and New Country 103.5 were taken over by the stories of patients and families who have needed the support of the regional hospital. Community groups and donors, who fundraised throughout the year, came to celebrate health care in Cape Breton and make their donations to help provide worldclass care in Cape Breton.
“It’s truly awe-inspiring,” said Danielle Boutilier, a recent cancer survivor whose story was heard by listeners. “I’ve always been proud to be from Cape Breton, but what we’ve been able to accomplish here makes me even more proud to call Cape Breton home.”
Two hours were dedicated as power hours. From 8 a.m, MECO Construction DKI matched every donation made up to $10,000. Because of their generous offer, more than $42,000 was raised in that one hour through phone calls and donors visiting the station. From 4 p.m. to 5 p.m, Jim Sampson Motors matched all donations up to $10,000 and an incredible $21,000 was raised. These two power hours purchased fourteen pain pumps, which are used to decrease infection, increase patient comfort and outcome, and allow staff to determine a patient’s pain level.
In addition to the fourteen pain pumps, an operating room table will be purchased, thanks to those in the Cape Breton fishing community. The hospital will also be able to purchase a pace art machine and a NIMM machine. Father Albert Maroun purchased the NIMM machine and the Mako My Day Shark Fishing Derby doubled what they expected and purchased the pace art machine and helped with the cost of the operating table.
“Over ten years, we have now raised more than $5.7 million for the Regional Hospital,” said Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation Board chair Glen Brann. “Hearing the stories of these brave patients helps donors see the impact of their gifts.”
Although the focus of RadioDay was the foundation’s Operation Heart campaign, many gave towards other places, such as Caleb’s Courage, the Cancer Patient Care Fund and pediatrics.
For more information or to learn more, please visit: www. operationheart.ca
Since 1992, the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation, in partnership with the community has raised more than $38 million to purchase equipment, and fund upgrades at the Regional Hospital. Thanks to the generosity of the Cape Breton community, the foundation has been able to purchase priority equipment and fund services which provide worldclass care, closer to home.