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Third annual radiothon not missing a beat for the BUH

Apr 5, 2018 | 12:00 PM

It’s official. The third annual On Air for Health Care radiothon will air once again this year on 1050 CJNB/CJNS, Q98, and 93.3 The Rock, raising money for much-needed equipment at the Battlefords Union Hospital (BUH).

BUH Foundation Executive Director Claudette McGuire and Nurse Manager Chris Etcheverry joined the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group’s morning shows today to announce this year’s 12-hour live broadcast will be held Friday, May 11 and will raise funds to purchase a new central cardiac telemetry system.

“It’s exciting to get things rolling for another radiothon,” McGuire said. “The Battlefords and surrounding area have been so generous over the first two years with their donations and we look forward to seeing their support again this year to help buy this crucial piece of equipment.”

As Etcheverry explained, the new cardiac telemetry system will increase the number of telemetry units at the BUH from eight to 12 and will allow patients increased freedom of movement.

“Over 1,600 patients every year are connected to our hospital’s cardiac monitoring system,” Etcheverry said. “This is a wireless pack that patients wear if they have cardiac disease or issues like that, and allows them to walk around the hospital free. They are not hooked to a wall or a bed and we can monitor their heart’s electrical activity in the intensive care unit.”

 

 

Q98’s Nic Fransoo said that over the past two years the support the area has given to On Air for Health Care and the BUH Foundation has been heartwarming.

“Folks around here never cease to amaze me when it comes to this sort of thing,” Fransoo said. “We’ve had huge cheques worth thousands of dollars and donations where children dropped by and gave us the loose change in their pockets. It’s been great to be a part of this.”

McGuire said this year’s campaign, entitled “We Don’t Want to Miss a Beat,” has a goal of raising $216,000. In 2016, the event garnered support to purchase a new CT scanner, and last year funds helped purchase new equipment for ear, nose and throat surgery.

Businesses, organizations and individuals can make donations leading up to the radiothon, she said, by dropping by the BUH Foundation office or visiting the live broadcast on May 11 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @RJWtheReporter