Today and tomorrow the 2022 Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Radiothon presented by CIBC Wood Gundy is back for its 21st year and will be taking over the airwaves across the province.  

As always, their goal is to continue to raise money that will go towards helping sick kids all across Saskatchewan and the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. 

This year the funds will be directed towards advancing equipment for innovative surgeries, increasing the capacity of care for scoliosis patients, and lifesaving therapy for acute kidney patients.  

“The Jim Pattison Children’s Radiothon helps the kids and families of Saskatchewan who require specialized care,” says Kristina Konchak, Hospital & Community Engagement Director with the Jim Pattison Hospital Foundation.  

All donations will be matched by Gord and Barb Broda up to $150,000.  

When it comes to additional surgical equipment, they are hoping to purchase a Sonopet machine, which is an ultrasonic aspirator ensuring surgeons have a high level of precision. This equipment puts minimal pressure on children undergoing surgery with brain tumours or birth defects.   

The Sonopet machine can eliminate the need for children to be on lifelong high-flow oxygen or worse a tracheostomy. 

They also are in need of the expansion of the Ears, Nose, and Throat (ENT) services in the operating room. This will reduce anesthetic complications, quicker recoveries, and declined rates of post-op admissions.  

The Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital is the only place in the province that can treat patients with scoliosis who require halo rings to mend their spines, and because of that wants to increase its capacity.  

Halo gravity traction is a technique used for the treatment of children with severe spine deformities, seen in scoliosis patients. 

The halo ring is worn to get the spine into a place where surgery can be safely completed (typically within one to three months). 

Lastly, with the funds raised this year the children’s hospital hopes to continue lifesaving therapy for acute kidney patients with the purchase of the PrisMax Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) Machine. This machine will ensure more efficient and streamlined technology is used allowing JPCH medical professionals to achieve the highest standard of care for Saskatchewan children. 

The JPCH Pediatric Intensive Care Unit sees approximately 480 cases per year, with over 66 per cent of kids who come from outside of Saskatoon for care. 

Through the two-day radiothon, listeners may get a little emotional, as they will hear the stories of patients that have or currently are receiving treatment at the children’s hospital.  

“This is something that impacts all of us and we all may know someone that has required the services of a children’s hospital or knows of a family member that has been in the hospital, and really does touch the lives of everyone,” adds Konchak. 

“We’ll be sharing some incredible stories like Benjamin who was struck by a vehicle while waiting for the school bus in Regina. He suffered life-threatening injuries in the accident and stayed in the PICU at the Pattison Children’s Hospital and his recovery has been nothing short of amazing.” 

The 2022 Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Radiothon presented by CIBIC Wood Gundy will be live on the radio from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. today and tomorrow.  

Those who want to donate to the foundation can do by calling 1-888-808-KIDS (5437), or online at pattisonchildrens.ca 

Since the very first Radiothon, 20 years ago, over $14.5 million has been raised for Saskatchewan moms and kids in hospital.