2day FM will once again be raising money for the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation by broadcasting live from the Prairie Mall for 12 hours straight. The 5th annual Cares for Kids Radiothon will run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 6th.
This year’s radiothon has a goal of raising enough money to buy an infant cardiac monitor for the pediatrics department. It will be the first for the hospital and is expected to make a significant difference in the unit.
While all 10 beds in the neonatal intensive care unit have a stationary monitor, a portable one would be used for taking infants between units or for tests. Right now, the QEII Hospital borrows one, which is also used during deliveries as well as for newborns in distress postpartum.
2day FM wants to make it so as many families as possible can stay in Grande Prairie for their treatment instead of heading to Edmonton. Right now, an average of 2,000 babies are born in Grande Prairie every year. Obstetrics in the new hospital will have space for an anticipated 2,150 annual births in the region by 2025.
In the past, two Joey BabyBeds, four neonatal cribs, five vital monitoring systems, and a neonatal incubator have all been purchased through the 2day FM radiothon. The station also recently raised more than $45,000 for the hospital foundation through its annual father daughter dance.
Anyone who would like to make a donation to the Cares for Kids Radiothon can do so by visiting the 2day FM team from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Prairie Mall, by calling 780-538-7583, or online. Donations of more than $20 can come with a tax receipt.