MOOSE JAW -- For the past 19 years, the annual 800 CHAB Family First Radiothon has pulled off minor miracles in support of the Moose Jaw Health Foundation.
The 2025 edition of the event was no exception.
With organizers heading into the 36-hour run on the radio hoping to raise $140,000, Moose Jaw once again went above and beyond, bringing in $252,031 for the Women’s Health Unit at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Hospital.
That’s absolutely no surprise to Health Foundation executive director Kelly McElree, who has seen their fundraising goals exceeded each and every year, to the point that nearly $6 million has been raised since the inception of the event.
Needless to say, those funds have radically improved what the local medical community has to offer to patients over the years, ranging from high-end cardiac equipment to full surgical suites thanks to recent Radiothons.
“You know, it's so humbling to see the generosity of individuals, businesses and organizations who not only donate funds but volunteer their time as well,” McElree said moments before the final total for 2025 was announced.
“It's done by groups that have deep connections in the community, it’s organizations big and small and it's so exciting that all those dollars that are raised are staying here to buy the medical equipment. Then we get to report it out to the community and everyone works together to say, hey, these dollars are going to work.”
As per usual, a host of local businesses and groups stepped up with massive donations to boost the total.
That includes $50,000 from Golden West Trailers, $25,000 from Simpsons Seeds and $30,000 from CPKC, on top of close to a dozen smaller donations in the $1,000-plus range.
Then there’s the likes of Healthcare Rocks!, which brought in $42,000 through their Elton Rohn concert, and the Sandra Schmirler Foundation, who are always on the lookout for ways to support premature and critically ill babies and donated $35,000.
That was the main goal of the 2025 Radiothon -- purchasing equipment for the Wigmore Hospital to help the more than 500 babies born there every year get the best start in life.
This year, that equipment will include a wireless fetal heart monitor, neonatal cardiac monitors, a base station and panda bed, all of which will soon be in use by medical professionals at the Wigmore Hospital thanks to the generous support of the community.
That equipment isn’t just extra stuff to help here and there, either -- it was specifically identified by doctors and nurses and even patients as items that could make a difference in saving and assisting a young life.
“We listen to all of them,” McElree said. “The Foundation are the eyes, ears, and voice of the community at our hospital, so we meet together with our incredible board of directors and we figure this out. It’s just so inspiring to see people come together and make such an incredible difference in our community.
“It's so humbling, we're so grateful, and the biggest thing that we can say is simply thank you.”
For more on the Moose Jaw Health Foundation and everything they have to offer, check out www.mjhf.org.
