NEWSTALK 1010 SickKids Radiothon Raises $2 million
26th annual Radiothon caps off month-long SickKids Healthy & Happy campaign
TORONTO, June 1, 2012 /CNW/ - More than $2 million was raised yesterday during the 13-hour NEWSTALK 1010 SickKids Radiothon in support of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Over the past 26 years, NEWSTALK 1010 has helped to raise more than $40 million to support the hospital.
Yesterday's Radiothon featured current and former SickKids patients and families recounting their compelling stories during the live broadcast from the hospital, motivating listeners to pledge their donations and become monthly donors. Radiothon also offered the community a new way to support SickKids. The Drive Up to Donate activity, sponsored by 407 ETR, encouraged people to pull up onto the University Avenue driveway at SickKids and present their donations to on-air hosts and SickKids Foundation staff. Donations continue to come in and are still being accepted at www.sickkidsradiothon.com.
"Radiothon is always one of the most special days of the year at SickKids and is a highlight among our annual fundraising activities," said Ted Garrard, President and CEO, SickKids Foundation. "We are grateful to our partners at Astral and especially to the entire NEWSTALK 1010 team and their listeners who have invested in children's health."
By the end of Radiothon, more than 20 patient families and SickKids staff members had shared their stories live on-air, helping to raise critical funds for the hospital. NEWSTALK 1010 hosts also witnessed some of the most sensitive patient care areas at SickKids during live remote broadcasts from the Emergency Department, Sears Cancer Clinic and bone marrow transplant unit.
"It is always a moving and inspirational day and we are proud to host Radiothon on NEWSTALK 1010," said Val Meyer, Vice President and General Manager, Toronto cluster, Astral. "All of us, from our on-air hosts to the production crews behind the scenes, are touched by the families who come forward to share their deeply personal stories with our listeners. We commend them for their courage."
ForestersTM provided its continued support of this year's Radiothon as the generous presenting sponsor. More than 60 Foresters employees again volunteered their time to answer donor calls and accepted pledges throughout Radiothon.
Through the combined efforts of Miracle Club members who signed up to give $18 a month, just $0.60 per day, the community is making a difference in the lives of children and their families who rely on SickKids. People can continue to donate online at www.sickkidsradiothon.com.
Radiothon also marked the end of the first-ever Healthy & Happy month. Launched on May 1, Healthy & Happy is a new annual SickKids campaign to build awareness of pressing children's health issues and the need for community support. Throughout the month of May, SickKids invited people in Toronto and beyond to Do The Happy and participate, donate and share in support of children's health. All told, more than 50 community fundraising events were held in May and over 35 corporate partners participated to help raise money for research, education and patient care at SickKids.
About Foresters
Foresters™ is a life insurance provider with a difference. The
fraternal benefit society, founded in 1874, supports family well-being
through quality products, unique member benefits and inspiring
community activities. Foresters shares its financial strength with
almost 950,000 members in Canada, the United States and the United
Kingdom. For more information, visit foresters.com.
Foresters™ is the trade name and a trademark of The Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal benefit society, 789 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9; its subsidiaries are licensed to use this mark.
About SickKids Foundation
Established in 1972, SickKids Foundation raises funds on behalf of The
Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and is the largest charitable
funder of child health research, learning and care in Canada.
Philanthropy is a critical source of funding for SickKids -- one of the
world's foremost paediatric health-care institutions. For the fiscal
year ending March 31, 2011, SickKids Foundation made an investment of
$61.9 million in children's health, a direct result of community and
corporate support. For more information, please visit www.sickkidsfoundation.com.
Sandra Chiovitti
Media Relations
SickKids Foundation
416-813-8292 (office) 416-553-4198 (cell)
[email protected]
Mike Bendixen
Brand Director
NEWSTALK 1010
416-323-6847
[email protected]
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