The 17th annual Caring for Kids Radiothon in support of the Alberta Children’s Hospital raised more than $3.7 million, according to event organizers.
Hosted by Country 105, the Caring for Kids Radiothon was broadcast live from the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary from Feb. 5 – 7.
Those who listened to Country 105 during the radiothon heard powerful stories from the kids and families who rely on the facility.
The hospital cares for kids with all different types of illnesses and injuries, from asthma to cancer, trauma to epilepsy and everything in between.
Donations raised go towards the funding of specialized equipment, pediatric research, and the facility’s family-centric programs, according to the hospital.
“We know that these are tough times for many people in our province, which makes support for the hospital – and the children who need it – even more special,” said Saifa Koonar, the president and CEO of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, in a press release.
“Radiothon has always been an opportunity for us to come together as a community.”
Radiothon supporters donated $1.86 million, which was then matched by the Crist Family Foundation.
Last year, listeners from across southern Alberta raised $2.2 million in donations. Two community members stepped up to match donations, bringing the total raised to $6.6 million.
The fundraising effort has raised more than $35 million since it began in 2003.