The community stepped up in a big way, Friday, to help raise money to support the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation in their 6th annual radiothon.
Surge 105.1 and Hot Country 103.5 hosted the fundraiser for the second year in a row, surpassing this year’s goal of $180,000 to help the hospital purchase new medical equipment.
As the radiothon wrapped up at 6 p.m., donors had given $190,406, surpassing the goal.
The radiothon raised $173,000 last year.
According to the hospital’s website, they are hoping to purchase several things, including:
- a machine for Point of Care Visualization Ultrasounds, which enhances the precision for IVs, nerve blocks, and surgical scans
- A PICC Line machine, which enables quick bedside IV insertion to make the experience more comfortable for patients
- orthopedic surgical equipment, cordless, battery-operated tools for ligament and small bone surgeries
- vertical mount infusion pump holders, which free up floor space and improves workflow in the operating room
- M5 Microdebrider, which helps ENT surgeons safely access and remove tissue during sinus surgeries
- a long scope, which would improve hip surgery access, especially for larger patients
- and a reusable long transfer mattress, which ensures safe patient transfers, protecting both the patients and workers
Donations
Ken Harrity and George Pelletier from the Knights of Columbus have donated $20,000.
Ken Harrity and George Pelletier from Knights of Columbus Photo: Jacob Moore/Acadia Broadcasting
They donated $10,000 Friday morning, then made another surprise donation, after.
Harrity tells us their organization has an aging membership, and many are finding themselves in a regular return visit.
“What we raise in funding comes directly from the community and we want to give back. We’re really happy to support the foundation. Steve Harding can convince anybody of doing anything,” says Harrity.
Pelletier says he was glad to have the chance to support Dartmouth General.
“For me, especially, my wife used this hospital a few times. Broken bones and other things. They were fantastic,” says Pelletier. “Back in February she was here. She was really down. We’ll support anytime we have a chance to.”
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Brad McGowan, MLA for Cole Harbour-Dartmouth, also came to show support.
He says he got a notice in the mail to get tested for colorectal cancer but tossed the notice in the trash. Then one day he did get a test and unexpectedly found out he had colorectal cancer.
He says people should donate so that the hospital is here when they need it.
“We want this extraordinary hospital to be in place, because sometimes you don’t take the test, and sometimes you’re going to need us and and we’re fortunate this hospital is here for that,” said McGowan.
He says he’s gone through a lot of treatment and will need more later in life, but he isn’t going anywhere.
“I challenge folks, get out, donate, ensure that this incredible hospital is able to do the the good work that it does every day.”
A portrait of Neville J. Gilfoy on the wall, the late husband of Board of Directors Chair for DGHF Ann Janega Photo: Jacob Moore/Acadia Broadcasting
Chair of the Board of Directors for the hospital, Ann Jenage sits on the couch in the Atrium in front of her late husband who worked a lot with the hospital.
The O’Regan family made a donation and dedicated it in his name after his passing, so he is now on the wall.
A word from the hosts
Eric Whynot, Regional Station Manager at Surge and Hot Country, told us a lot of work goes into a day like this, and staff are really looking forward to it.
He said the total raised last year was “phenomenal” but is confident we can pull in a similar amount, if not more.
Whynot added that it’s important for Acadia Broadcasting to do an event like this because the company is very community focused and health care matters to everyone.
More to come…
with files from Caitlin Snow
