HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt District Hospital Foundation has raised $74,766 through its Equip to Care radiothon, making it one of their largest radiothon fundraisers, as well as announced their new official mascot Big B.O.B.
“We were overwhelmed actually, we would never have thought that this much money has been generated in four days,” said Lorrie Bunko, the Foundation’s executive director.
Bunko said Pedaling 4 Obstetrics, the Foundation’s spinathon, played a huge part in that, raising a total of $47,580.00 in support of the hospital’s obstetrics program.
The rider who brought in the most pledges was Brittany Craven, raising $2,000. The team who raised the most in pledges was Team MNP, raising $10,860.
“Connecting to people again was great, and bringing people together to be able to connect was also a wonderful feeling. It’s been a long couple of years and this event came at the right time.”
The spinathon funds will be used to help contribute to a wireless fetal heart monitor and a Panda infant warmer.
Bunko said the two pieces of equipment combine to about $81,000. The Foundation will need to raise an additional $28,000.
The other funds from radiothon will go toward supporting the cardiac equipment the Foundation is seeking to replace, as well as additional pieces of equipment needed including stretchers.
Introducing the Foundation’s newest mascot: B.O.B
In honour of Bob Pitzel, the Foundation's new official mascot is Big B.O.B. Designed by Failure Prevention Services (FPS) of Watson, B.O.B is an acronym for “bring our best.”
FPS Watson donates the B.O.B bears to community members in the hospital as part of an initiative to provide comfort to children and some adult patients who may need it. The bears are distributed by staff at their discretion.
“The initial donation was 250 bears and their team at FPS came up with this amongst the staff in the honour of the late Bob Pitzel,” Bunko said.
“We loved the idea of the B.O.B bear. Bob Pitzel was a long-time director of the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation and we had this bear that we did want to name prior to the pandemic happening, then these bears came about and it was just a perfect fit.”
