May 10, 2016
Dan Bascombe of Eagle 100.9 FM, left, Tanya Thorn of Sheep River Health Trust, Jayme Hall of Eagle 100.9, and Andrea Mitchell, Executive Director of Sheep River Health Trust, celebrate the end of a 13-hour day on the radio by proudly holding a cheque for the $54,542.50 they raised.
Story by Kerri Robins and photo courtesy of the Sheep River Health Trust
OKOTOKS — Sobeys positively hummed with activity here recently when the Sheep River Health Trust hosted its third annual Together We can Make a Difference radiothon — a partnership with The Eagle 100.9 radio that raised an impressive $54,542.50.
For Kathy Thornhill and her family, this is welcome news, indeed.
Thornhill’s son Austin, diagnosed with autism in 2009, has since that time received valuable support through the Foothills SNAPS (Special Needs Association for Parents and Siblings) program.
SNAPS, one of many organizations in the Foothills Children’s Wellness Network, is one of many beneficiaries of the radiothon funds.
“SNAPS showed me how to access the supports and services available through AHS, such as a speech language pathologist, behaviourist, occupational therapist and physical therapy,” says Thornhill.
“Their guidance and support throughout the process helped us change the prognosis for Austin, and today he’s a talkative, loving child able to attend our local school.”
This year’s proceeds will also support Alberta Health Services (AHS) programming for children and youth in the foothills area of Southern Alberta. With a cumulative total of $115,000 raised over its first three years, family centred-care is thriving in the region.
Throughout the day, listeners were treated to health care stories from families, organizations and various AHS medical staff.
Lise Brisebois-Blouin, Director – Rural South, Calgary Zone for AHS, says she’s grateful for the trust and what it does for AHS and surrounding communities.
“The support we receive from the Sheep River Health Trust allows us to keep care closer to home, and to continue advancing our patient-family centred care mandate.”
One of the many donors who support the event, United Communities marketing director, Steve LePan presented $5,000 on behalf of his company to the trust.
“We are proud to be affiliated with an organization that shares common goals and contributes so much for the residents in their communities,” says LePan.
Larry Albrecht, Chair of the Sheep River Health Trust, says he’s happy to be part of such a successful event.
“The Sheep River Health Trust’s mission is to raise funds to promote health and wellness initiatives in our communities,” adds Albrecht. “The support from residents and businesses in the Foothills for the radiothon continues to show that what we are doing is important, and the impact on health and wellness in our community on a single day is profound.”
For more information, please visit sheepriverhealthtrust.ca.
