Calgarians showed a record-setting amount of generosity as the 16th annual Country 105 Caring for Kids Radiothon reached a total of $6.6 million in donations.
A large part of the total was from matched donations from the Crist Family Foundation and an anonymous donor, who together tripled donations during the radiothon.
“The opportunity to have every donation doubled, and then tripled was incredibly exciting,” said Phil Kallsen, program director at Country 105. “The energy it created not only propelled the giving spirit of this community, it raised an astounding amount of much-needed funds for the Alberta Children’s Hospital.”
WATCH: Tom Crist has been revealed as one of two donors who matched donations to the Country105 Caring for Kids Radiothon.
“Given how significantly our province has been affected by the economy, this level of support is even more special,” Saifa Koonar, president & CEO of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, said in a statement.
Before the event began, the anonymous donor stepped forward saying they would match pledges. On Wednesday, another anonymous donor — revealed on Friday to be the Crist Family Foundation — stepped forward also pledging to match donations.
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WATCH: Leslie Horton speaks with Robyn Adair of Country 105 about the 2019 Caring for Kids Radiothon, and how Calgarians can donate money.
Donations go to fund specialized equipment, pediatric research and the facility’s family-centric programs, according to the hospital.
WATCH: Funds from Country105 Caring for Kids Radiothon help ACH purchase new equipment.
During the radiothon, listeners heard stories from families who have benefitted from the work done at the children’s hospital.
The 16th year continued a run of those stories have been getting better and better.
“If you could stitch all of the broadcasts together — back-to-back, and somehow listen to them, you would see the stories changing and the stories getting better,” Justine Clay of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation told Calgary Today. “And the care getting better. And the care getting more precise. And quicker diagnoses. And just more support.
“The stories are very different from just 16 years ago.”
WATCH: New simulation at Alberta Children’s Hospital helps crews prepare for emergencies.
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Calgary radio station Country 105 broadcasted live from the hospital’s cafeteria from Feb. 6 to 8 to share stories from young patients and families.
WATCH: Leslie Horton speaks with nine-year-old Taligha Proctor who is at the Alberta Children’s Hospital recovering from leukemia.
Global News Morning Calgary was also live on location throughout the radiothon providing updates.
The radiothon started as a way to share stories from inside the hospital. Including the latest total, the radiothons have raised more than $31.1 million, ultimately benefiting 102,000 children and families a year.
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