Halifax, NS (February 12, 2021) – Bell Media’s 100 Hours for the Kids at the IWK radio fundraiser wrapped up this evening, raising an incredible $251,063.10. After taking a pause last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, listeners of the ten radio stations across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick once again showed their support of this annual event, giving generously to help patients and families who rely on care at the IWK.
“We were thrilled to work with our partners at Bell Media to safely bring this important fundraising initiative back this year,” says Jennifer Gillivan, president & CEO, IWK Foundation. “From those who made donations and sponsored the event to the patients and families who bravely shared their inspiring stories and the radio teams who brought it all it life, we are so grateful for your dedication to advancing specialized care at the IWK for our women and children.”
This year donations made to 100 Hours for the Kids at the IWK will help support the urgent priorities of IWK Health including the purchase of new equipment like the blood monitoring system for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). This is used during a process known as ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). The ECMO system acts as an artificial heart and lungs for babies, children and youth who need support. This helps patients like eight-year-old Avery Mitton whose story was shared during the 100 Hours broadcast.
Avery lives with Down syndrome, which causes her immune system to be compromised. This can lead to challenges fighting illnesses. In 2019, a combination of strep/staph infections, a virus and pneumonia proved to be too overwhelming for her body to handle. Avery was rushed to the IWK’s PICU and placed on ECMO, which ultimately saved her life.
“Patients like Avery are the reason Bell Media and our listeners are so committed to helping the IWK,” says Trent McGrath, general manager, CTV Atlantic and Bell Media Radio Atlantic. “There isn’t a family in the Maritimes who doesn’t know someone who has needed the IWK and I want to thank our community for their generous support of this important fundraiser.”
In the weeks leading up to the broadcast, the radio stations involved encouraged their listeners become a 100 Hours for the Kids Warrior. Participants who signed up were able to create their own online fundraising pages. The Warrior program raised a remarkable $22,630 towards the event’s grand total, more than doubling its goal of $10,000.
Participating stations included Move 100 and 101.3 Virgin Radio in Halifax; Big Dog 100.9 FM and Pure Country 99.5 FM in Truro; FOX 105 FM, MOVE 106.9 and Pure Country 103.5 in Fredericton; MAX 104.9 FM in Bathurst, K93 FM in Grand Falls and Pure Country 104 in Woodstock.
Donations can still be made to 100 Hours for the Kids at the IWK by calling 1-800-595-2266 or by visiting www.iwkfoundation.org/100hours.
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About the IWK Foundation
The IWK Foundation is a champion of excellence in women's and children's health and medicine and works in partnership with IWK Health to support their vision of providing quality care to women, children, youth and families in the Maritime Provinces and beyond. Our donors are passionately committed to making a difference for Maritime families, contributing more than $13 million in support of the most urgent care priorities at the IWK last year. Funds raised also support the IWK's global leadership in research and knowledge sharing, which in turn improves lives worldwide. Visit www.iwkfoundation.org for more information.
For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Kelly Duggan
Advisor, Stakeholder Relations & Public Affairs
IWK Foundation
c: 902-220-8029
kelly.duggan@iwk.nshealth.ca