The 13th annual GX94 and FOX FM Airwaves for Health Radiothon was a huge success in raising $143,128 for the Health Foundation. The annual radiothon was held April 29 and 30, with both radio stations broadcasting live from the Regional Hospital in Yorkton, according to a release. Harvard Broadcasting covered all of the costs of the Radiothon, so 100 per cent of donations go toward buying medical equipment.
“The Radiothon introduced our campaign, raising funds to upgrade the mammography equipment in the Regional Hospital in Yorkton. The newer equipment will assist in earlier diagnosis of breast cancer,” said Ross Fisher, executive director of the Health Foundation.
“One in eight women will contract breast cancer in their lifetime. This is not an abstract disease. Far too many of us know someone who has had breast cancer, if we have not had someone in our family have breast cancer.”
Fisher said this was by far their most successful Radiothon yet.
“And I think it is because people understand the importance of having state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment in our regional hospital.”
The Radiothon had a large number of donors from the Canora, Kamsack and Preeceville area. There were some significant donations from the business community; with Crossroads Credit Union donating $5,000, Gateway Co-op giving $2,500, Duck Mountain Ambulance donating $2,000, Miccar Aerial $1,000 and PRY Security $500. In addition to the business community, Preeceville Lioness gave $1,000 and the Preeceville Lions another $500.
“The Radiothon was a great first step in raising awareness and launching our fundraising campaign for the new mammography equipment. We still have a ways to go as the equipment will cost just over $500,000 to purchase and install, but the Radiothon was a very good beginning,” concluded Fisher.