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‘Radiothon’ to serve as official kick off to new HHCF fundraising season

April 4, 2019   ·   0 Comments

By Mike Baker

Headwaters Health Care Foundation (HHCF) will officially kick off its 2019/2020 fundraising campaign next week with its third annual 101.5 myFM Radiothon. 

Next Wednesday, April 10, local residents will be treated to a 12-hour on-air spectacle, starting at 6 a.m. and running to 6 p.m., jam-packed full of news and information relating to Headwaters Health Care Centre (HHCC). The show will be hosted at the Tim Hortons located at 46 Broadway. 

Since its launch more than two decades ago, the Foundation has stepped up where the provincial government has failed, aiming to bridge the gap between the local hospital and a constantly evolving infrastructure and equipment deficit. Each year, HHCF hosts five core fundraisers to raise funds for the hospital in order to maintain and upgrade essential equipment and programming on-site. 

The Radiothon was introduced back in 2017 as a “new and exciting way” for the  Foundation to connect with the community. Since then, the event has raised more than $30,000. Speaking to the Citizen this week, Nicole Hand, HHCF’s Senior Manager of Development,  said she hopes to raise a new record total through this year’s Radiothon.

“We realize that this is a fundraiser covering a 12-hour period on one day, but we would really like to make $20,000 through this year’s event,” Ms. Hand said. “It’s an exciting challenge, but one we’re confident our community will take on.”

This year’s Radiothon will be slightly different from the previous two, with Ms. Hand confirming there are 24 special guests scheduled to appear throughout the day. As well as local sponsors, supporters and both HHCC and HHCF executives, the Radiothon will provide a platform for frontline staff to educate the community about the different departments, programs and services in place at our hospital.

“In the past we have used this opportunity to thank our supporters and sponsors, but we’re taking more a mixed bag approach this year,” Ms. Hand told the Citizen. “A big part of the day will be representatives from different fields coming in and talking to the community about what they do. We have nurses, physicians, techs and specialists and department managers lined up.”

She added, “I think it’s important that we offer this educational component. One of the things I hear a lot while I’m out and about is how much people love our hospital. Yet, they don’t always know about all the different components of the services we offer. This will be fun for people. It will be a good learning experience.”

Confirmed for speaking roles are HHCC President and CEO Stacey Daub, new HHCF Executive Director Dora Boylen-Pabst and HHCF Board Chair Kirk Brannon. 

Money raised through this year’s event will go towards supporting the “minor” portion of HHCC’s 2019/2020 wish list.

“Minor doesn’t necessarily mean less important, it just means smaller purchases,” Ms. Hand clarified. “These less expensive pieces, when all added up, constitute for $80,000 in this year’s budget, so we’d like to conquer a quarter of that through Radiothon.”

Some of those items include visitor chairs, IV poles, wheelchairs, scalpels, scopes and baby scales for the ER.

“Basically, it’s lots of little pieces of equipment needed to ensure visitor and staff comfort, and items that will be used to support larger projects,” Ms. Hand added.

This will be a particularly special event for Nicole, as it will be her last as a member of the Foundation. Having spent six years with the organization planning and organizing dozens of events and fundraisers, Ms. Hand prepares to take on a new challenge within the Brampton library system. She hopes to go out with a bang on April 10. 

“Radiothon is our newest fundraiser, but it’s growing every year,” Ms. Hand said. “While the hospital has a budget that primarily takes care of the building, employees and day-to-day operations, there’s nothing left for new equipment. That’s where the Foundation steps in. It’s our job to raise money for that equipment, otherwise it just doesn’t get bought.”

She added, “Whenever we need upgrades, whether that be new beds, specialist equipment, anything, the reality is that money needs to come from the community. It’s events like Radiothon that helps us. Ultimately, we want to be able to provide the best possible care for area residents close to home. Our fundraisers help us to achieve that goal.”

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