Maritimers pledge a record $6.4 million to IWK Telethon

It was another record year for the annual IWK Telethon with Maritimers pledging $6,462,352.04 in support of the IWK.

The show wrapped up for the 33rd time Sunday evening after broadcasting live over CTV from the IWK Health Centre in Halifax and remote locations in Sydney, Saint John and Charlottetown this weekend.

“What is clear to me after every Telethon is how much the Maritime community cares about the children and women in our region and share in our belief that they deserve the best possible health care right here at home,” said Jennifer Gillivan, President & CEO, IWK Foundation.

The IWK Telethon is the IWK’s largest annual fundraiser and supports the most urgent priority needs of the IWK Health Centre. This year, donors to the Telethon purchased important pieces of equipment, including new recliner chairs for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

Families are considered an integral part of the care team in this unit and it is important that they are comfortable during the long and often stressful hours they spend at the bedside supporting their critically ill children.

In 2016-17 there were 416 admissions to the PICU and those children and youth from across the Maritimes spent 1,378 days receiving care in the unit.

Donations can still be made to the IWK Foundation by calling 1-800-5952266 or visiting www.iwkfoundation.org.