Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

ON AIR FOR HEALTHCARE

Mission Possible continues as radio-thon raises over $400K

May 10, 2024 | 8:51 PM

The mission continues but it’s nearly there.

The Battlefords and surrounding communities raised $415,272.52 thus getting closer to realizing the dream of having brand new state-of-the-art laparoscopic towers.

“We are so close to reaching our goal, we are so excited, the Wayne Pruden Memorial Golf Tournament is coming up on the first Monday of June and all of the proceeds from that tournament are also going towards our capital campaign,” said Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation Executive Director Leeanne Ducommun.

“So, we’re going to continue to push hard,” she said noting the donations can continue to come.

Carol Charbonneau and Melissa Bright volunteer during the radio-thon. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

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Although they still have a bit further to go, Grant Schutte of 1015 CJNB said donations can still come in.

“It’s all a matter of when they get that warm feeling inside about helping people out that they’ll reach for their wallets and make a donation.”

Members of the BUH Foundation and radio personalities including Program Director Nic Fransoo, Matt Ryan of CJNS, Andy Cohen of Q98 and Schutte spent 12 hours speaking with staff, donors and others about the importance of the equipment and what it means for the community.

“When people are getting surgeries and they need to be looked at from the hospital, I mean laparoscopic surgery can just cut the recovery time and really the pain that the patient may go through in half,” Ryan said.

Over the day, the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation worked hard to raise $530,000 for three Stryker laparoscopic towers for the operating rooms. As part of the fun, a 50/50 prize added an extra layer of excitement to the radio-thon, which began at 6 a.m.

“It’s always a highlight of the year, there’s no question about that,” said Fransoo.

“It’s one of the most fun things that we do, and we all get to sit together and talk and play off each other and just encourage one another as we go through a big, long day.”

At 4 p.m., a donation of $20,000 from the Stromberg Family Fund was announced and later in the radiothon, it was announced that a bequest from Ed Urbanowski of $100,000 was also given.

For Dr. Melissa McGee, getting the towers is akin to getting a fully-loaded brand-new car with all the trappings. She explained having the latest models will help her and the surgery team be more efficient.

“If you have an appendix or a gall bladder [attack], you get tiny surgeries,” she said.

“If you have a big surgery, sometimes we can even use those laparoscopic towers to make them smaller. That speeds up your recovery and you get home so much faster.”

Dr. Melissa McGee and her son Rexton, 7, celebrate together. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

As residents into the hospital with smiles on their faces to donate, Ducommun, the communities showed up.

“What an inspiring day, I think Mother Nature’s definitely on our side with the sunshine,” she said earlier in the day.

“People, their hearts are warm and giving. This is what we’ve seen all day which is just fantastic.”

For Volunteers Melissa Bright and Carol Charbonneau who monitored the walk-in donations and 50/50 table, the day went well as community members of all ages came to show their support for the hospital by helping to raise funds for the new medical equipment.

“It’s cool that people are coming and taking the time and challenging the community,” said Bright.

Over the day, different businesses, residents and even children were getting creative by challenging their peers to donate – including one for people under the age of 45.

‘It’s kind of the ‘Tag, you’re it,’” she said.

According to Charbonneau, at their table there wasn’t any set goal.

“Anything is bonus, right?”

Jacqueline Reynolds hands Nic Fransoo a gift in the first Hometown Hero recognition . (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW)

In an added surprise, Fransoo was presented with a gift from Board Member Jacqueline Reynolds for the inaugural Hometown Hero recognition for his service to the community.

“I am flattered beyond whatever you could ever imagine,” he said, noting he’s happy to get on the microphone and help support a worthy cause.

“Thank you much, this is terrific, I’m just beaming,” said Fransoo of not only the success the fundraiser has had but the added surprise.

“You’re spoilin’ the snot out of me.”

Meanwhile, Ducommun said the support didn’t just come locally but regionally and local businesses like Re/Max, Sobey’s, Taco Time, Freshii and others have joined in the event.

“It just goes to show you just how interconnected we are and how we are stronger together,” she said.

“You know, when you think about a hospital and coming in, you’re laughing and everything’s light-hearted, that’s generally not the case.”

Power 99’s Andy Cohen said with the weather cooperating, people coming in person was a “great option”

“I’m a firm believer in investing in local healthcare so, I’m glad other people see it too because it is so important,” he said.

“You just never know when you’re going to need your hospital or neighbour, loved one, you hope you never need it, but it’s there and why not invest in it in case you need it.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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