January 22, 2016
Participants in the 2016 Corus Radiothon who helped to raise $1.3M for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Story by Kerri Robins; Photo courtesy Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation
EDMONTON — Brandie and Steven Thomas know the Stollery Children’s Hospital all too well since their son, four-year-old Mason, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome — a birth defect where the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped.
“Mason was basically born with half a working heart,” says Brandie, “and had his first surgery when he was three days old, and again at six months, due to complications.
“He ended up staying in the hospital for three months after his second surgery, and instead of a third planned surgery, we decided to plan for a heart transplant instead.”
Patients like Mason motivate the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation every year to co-host the annual Corus Radiothon with CISN Country 103.9, and sister stations 92.5 Fresh FM and 630 CHED. This year’s live broadcast — held Jan. 19-20 for the 17th year in a row — raised more than $1.3 million to support general priorities at the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
Raising more than $19.8 million in total since it began in 2000, this year’s listeners were treated to live broadcasts with 12 Stollery families who shared their stories of hope and inspiration.
With more than 51 families, in all, participating in the radiothon this year, radio hosts also encouraged listeners to call and become members of the Bear Hug Club by pledging $20 or more to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.
The two-day event also featured a power hour that raised funds for the Allen Little Pal Stirrup, a specialized piece of equipment that helps pediatric surgeons hold little legs in place, using stirrups, to perform operations. Designed for ages 3 to 6, they can support up to 73 kg.
Dr. James Shapiro, a liver transplant surgeon (children and adults) with Alberta Health Services, says he’s thankful for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. “They help us enormously through research dollars that drive our progress, and our ability to stay on the cutting edge in surgery and outcomes in care.”
Mike House, President and CEO of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, says: “Delivering specialized, acute health care to kids who need it most is what our foundation is all about.”
“Our vision is to advance and transform children’s health, and Corus Radiothon is a perfect example of what we are able to do collectively when we combine our donors and media partners with stories of excellence heard through the eyes of a child, a mom, a dad, and the caregivers at the Stollery,” he adds.
“This collective energy translates into new monthly donors and increased investments in the best people, programs, research and equipment that matter most to the outcomes of kids and their families.”
As Mason awaits a new heart, he’s doing well.
Dad Steven says he’s grateful for the foundation and hospital: “We fully support the radiothon and want listeners to know how very lucky we are having such a world-class facility right in our back yard.
“The hospital philosophy of a family-centred approach has allowed us to be together during those times when we need each other close by and around Mason.”
