The fifth annual GX94 and FOX FM Airwaves for Health Radiothon last month was the most successful yet, raising $129,765 - two-thirds of the amount needed to fund a conceptual plan for the construction of a new regional hospital.
The radiothon, hosted by the radio stations on behalf of The Health Foundation of East Central Saskatchewan, broke its previous fundraising record by approximately $35,000 thanks in part to an increase in business donations and a $50,000 private bequest.
"It's extraordinarily gratifying to see," said Health Foundation Executive Director Ross Fisher.
The money will pay for the first step towards constructing a new regional hospital in the Sunrise Health Region: a conceptual plan that will examine the area's service needs, the best location for the building, and other issues.
"This is what The Health Foundation in this region is all about, and this particular cause we thought was an exceptionally good one to get involved in," said Lyle Walsh, general manager of GX94 and FOX FM. "We thought the response would be good, so we're happy to see this probably even beat our expectations."
The success of the radiothon means that preliminary action on the project can begin immediately, even as The Health Foundation looks to other sources to raise the remainder of the money it needs.
"We're far enough along that we've now released a request for proposals for architectural firms to work with the region on conceptual planning over the course of the next year and a half," said Fisher.
The health region expects to choose a firm by sometime this summer. The conceptual plan will follow, engaging communities, healthcare professionals, and governments in determining what is needed and achievable in the region.
If all goes well, said Fisher, the new facility - which would replace the 50-year-old Yorkton Regional Health Centre - could be built within five to eight years.
"I haven't talked to anybody that doesn't think a new hospital is a good idea," said the executive director. "We want to move forward with this as quickly as we can."
