Raising funds for life and breath

Hospital foundation radiothon takes place next week

If you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.

Lung function is critical to life and so the Valley Regional Hospital Foundation’s Breathe Well campaign is raising funds for critical pulmonary function testing equipment for the hospital’s respiratory department.

That campaign will get a major shot in the arm on Sept. 14 with the Health in Harmony Radiothon, presented by Canadian Tire New Minas. The radiothon has been an annual fundraiser since 2009.

“AVR 97.7 is basically dedicating its on-air day to the foundation,” says Hillary Webb, fund development co-ordinator with the Valley Regional Hospital Foundation. “This partnership with AVR has been a great collaboration for many years.”

AVR 97.7’s broadcasting day will feature interviews with key players in the community, including doctors, patients, hospital staff, business partners and community organizations.

“We’ll be hearing from the people who work with patients every day and they will be able to explain why there is a need for new equipment,” Webb says.

More than 50 volunteers will fan out to 15 different business locations from Wolfville to Middleton, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. working in shifts, wearing radiothon T-shirts, collecting change and chatting with people about the importance of quality health care in the community.

The fundraising goal of the campaign is $250,000. Pulmonary function test equipment is essential in helping respiratory therapists determine lung function capacity and to diagnose obstructive and restrictive lung diseases such as asthma, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis. It also monitors patient lung function post-lung transplant and performs exercise induced asthma testing as well as pulmonary exercise testing for those with COPD.

“For those who need this kind of care, there really is no other option,” Webb explains. “Tests are required on a monthly, and sometimes biweekly, basis.”

Staff and volunteers will also be ready to take donations in person at the Valley Regional Hospital and by phone at 902-678-5414. Businesses, service clubs and individuals can also make donations by stopping into AVR 97.7 at 29 Oakdene Ave. in Kentville.

“It’s a great way to raise awareness, create engagement and raise funds at the same time,” Webb says. “So many people come together to give the gift of their time and make this event a reality. It really benefits community health care as a whole.”