The Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation (HHHSF) is taking its fundraising efforts to the airwaves this week, with the community’s annual health radiothon coming to 93.5 MooseFM Aug. 14 and 15.
Last year’s event set a new record, raking in more than $600,000 for the Haliburton hospital’s new CT scanner and mammography unit. Melanie Klodt Wong, the foundation’s executive director, is again asking the public to put hands in pockets to help make this latest offering as big as it can possibly be.
Donations will go twice as far, she said, after a family of longtime cottagers came forward Aug. 1 offering to match all funds raised up to $100,000. The family’s identity will remain a mystery, with the money coming from the WB Family Foundation.
“This is a common story of people who really love the Highlands, they’ve been cottaging here for generations… they understand the importance of having great healthcare available in the County, so are helping our efforts to raise money for lifesaving equipment,” Klodt Wong said.
Proceeds this year will go towards purchasing a new ECG machine and vital signs monitors.
“HHHS has a running list of needs, they have a process for determining what gets to the top of the list and then we do our best to provide them with the funds to replace things as they’re required,” Klodt Wong added. “Our ultimate goal is to make sure the hospital staff always has the best equipment.”
Dr. Keith Hay, chief of staff at HHHS, said without fundraisers like radiothon the hospital would have no way of paying for new purchases. While the Ministry of Health covers operating costs, there’s no assistance for upgrades.
“In an emergency, every second matters – and so does having the right equipment,” Hay said. “Having new and upgraded tools ensures our team can respond swiftly and effectively when lives are on the line.”
Radiothon launches Thursday at 6 a.m., running until 6 p.m. and picks back up for another 12-hour run on Friday at 6 a.m.
Klodt Wong said there’s a full itinerary for the two-day fundraiser, with outgoing HHHS president and CEO Veronica Nelson making an appearance. There will also be interviews with ER doctors and incoming interim CEO and president, Jennifer BurnsWest, as well as stories from people who have benefitted from recent radiothon purchases.
New this year, the foundation has set up donation booths across the County – people can stop-in at the MooseFM station at 152 Highland St., at the Tim Horton’s in Haliburton and Minden, Todd’s Independent, Haliburton Foodland, Dollo’s Foodland and Boshkung Social.
An Aug. 9 pig roast at Haliburton Highlands Brewing, which was raising money for the radiothon, was cancelled due to the fire ban, but the Kennisis Lake Marina and Smoke on the Water is welcoming donations at an Aug. 15 event, starting at 1 p.m.
“We’re looking to be bigger – we’re in more locations this year. I know we’re not going to top the $600,000, but we want as much as we can possibly get. There’s lots we’re hoping to do to improve [things] at HHHS,” Klodt Wong said, noting there will be chances for people to win prizes, including a pair of Toronto Blue Jays tickets, if they donate.
Donations can be made online at hhhs.ca/ foundation.
