The 18th Annual 800 CHAB Family First Radiothon wrapped up on Friday evening, raising $229,880 in support of the Moose Jaw Health Foundation. 

We surpassed our goal of $140,000 for cardiac care equipment for the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital. 

Every single dollar raised through the 800 CHAB Family First Radiothon stays right here in the community at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital. 

The second day kicked off with an exciting announcement that an anonymous private donor would match up to $50,000 raised today. 

A number of organizations stopped by and contributed major donations including $20,000 from CPKC, Simpson Seeds gave $25,000, Gibson Energy gave $14,750, Brandt donated $2,000, ACT/UCT gave $3,000, Maple Leaf Bakery gave $800 and donuts, the Rotary Club of Moose Jaw Wakamow donated $500 and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 59 gave $350. 

Healthcare Rocks Queen tribute show and its presenting sponsor Cypress Paving presented a cheque for $41,000 from the event. 

The equipment that will be purchased with these funds is vital to our hospital. Over 2,900 patients experience cardiac issues each year and are treated at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital. And every year, about 3,000 people die in Saskatchewan from heart attacks and strokes. 

Suzanne Boyer was manning the phones with SaskWater. For her, getting this cardiac equipment is personal. Her 15-year-old daughter Maia has Hyperplastic Left Heart Syndrome. 

She said, while the care at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital has been excellent, the hospital isn’t always equipped to help Maia. 

“We have had some fantastic care from the hospital here in Moose Jaw, but there has been times where Maia’s care has needed to be taken elsewhere because we’re not necessarily equipped the same way as the hospital in Saskatoon and sometimes even she’s been to Edmonton to the Stollery (Children’s Hospital),” Boyer said. 

“So anything that we can bring into the hospital that increases the services or the level of care that these health professionals, who are so amazing, can give is just amazing and wonderful.” 

One of the big ticket items is a LUCAS Automated CPR Machine with a price tag of $16,000. Moose Jaw Health Foundation Executive Director Kelly McElree said he was shocked when he learned our hospital didn’t have this device. 

“I researched it more and I thought ‘We don’t have one of there?’ It’s such a vital piece of equipment that frees up ER staff when in life’s most challenging moments, it’s all hands on deck. If this frees up a couple of pair of hands in the ER, there’s going to be better outcomes,” said McElree. 

Registered Nurse Mikayla Hutchinson said the LUCAS Automated CPR Machine is a lifesaving piece of equipment. 

“Doing CPR is extremely tiring, so to be able to have a machine that is doing it efficiently and effectively, it leaves our staff to be able to focus on respiratory, IV access, medications and know that that piece is taken care of,” she said. 

Other pieces of equipment that will be purchased with the funds includes: 

An EGC Mac 5500 ($22,000)   

Used to record a heart’s electrical activity to ascertain issues such as heart attacks/disease or arrythmias.   

A Holter Monitor ($14,000)   

Used to record a heart’s rhythms during a patient’s day to help with diagnosis.   

Four Medication Carts ($50,000)   

Used for storing and swiftly accessing medications.   

Six Patient Stretchers ($30,000)   

Used to quickly and comfortably transport patients.   

Even though the radiothon has now wrapped up, you can still give to the Moose Jaw Health Foundation year-round through the MJHF website.