It was like magic.
That’s how Jennifer Gillivan described the overwhelming feeling after Maritimers rallied together to raise a record-breaking $6,389,518 during the 32nd annual IWK Telethon for Children on CTV this weekend.
Gillivan, president and CEO of the IWK Foundation, said she felt humbled by the showing of generosity.
“I think Maritimers are the most generous people on earth,” Gillivan said during an interview with The Guardian. “Everyone knows the IWK is the place the community built. The community knows that and rallies around it every year.”
The live broadcast from the IWK Health Centre in Halifax also saw remote locations in Charlottetown, Sydney N.S. and Saint John N.B.
The telethon is the IWK’s largest annual fundraiser and supports urgent priority needs at the health centre.
This year, funds raised will go towards purchasing medical equipment including new phototherapy blankets to help treat newborn jaundice while allowing the baby to be “skin-to-skin” with their parent.
Other equipment includes a patient monitor that provides critical monitoring of a patient’s heart rhythm, breathing rate and blood oxygen levels.
“I want to thank every single Maritimer that stood up, donated and supported the IWK,” said Gillivan. “We need that help year after year and they know that. And they know that the IWK will be there to serve their children when they need it most.”
Julie and Jason Ramsay know that all too well.
The couple was at the Charlottetown site on Sunday with two-year-old daughter Harper and five-year-old son Hayden.
Julie said she was a patient at the IWK while pregnant with Harper, requiring three blood transfusions before she was born.
“If it wasn’t for that facility, she probably wouldn’t be here today or wouldn’t be as healthy as she is today,” said Ramsay. “We always were (supporters of the IWK) anyway, but it means a whole lot more now that we’ve experienced it.”
While for a good cause, Julie said the day was also fun outing for her children.
Face painting and crafts, as well as building blocks and inflatables were available at the Delta Prince Edward, which was the remote location for the telethon in Charlottetown.
Mike MacKenzie, chair of P.E.I.’s telethon volunteer committee, said the event saw a great crowd of both donors and children having fun.
It also had a personal touch, with one craft table allowing children to write get-well cards to current patients at the IWK.
“The kids are able to sit down and make a small message, its unique to P.E.I.,” said MacKenzie. “Everyone has or knows someone with a connection to the IWK even if it’s indirectly.”
Donations can still be made to the IWK Foundation by calling 1-800-595-2266 or visiting www.iwkfoundation.org.
Twitter.com/Mitch_PEI
It was like magic.
That’s how Jennifer Gillivan described the overwhelming feeling after Maritimers rallied together to raise a record-breaking $6,389,518 during the 32nd annual IWK Telethon for Children on CTV this weekend.
Gillivan, president and CEO of the IWK Foundation, said she felt humbled by the showing of generosity.
“I think Maritimers are the most generous people on earth,” Gillivan said during an interview with The Guardian. “Everyone knows the IWK is the place the community built. The community knows that and rallies around it every year.”
The live broadcast from the IWK Health Centre in Halifax also saw remote locations in Charlottetown, Sydney N.S. and Saint John N.B.
The telethon is the IWK’s largest annual fundraiser and supports urgent priority needs at the health centre.
This year, funds raised will go towards purchasing medical equipment including new phototherapy blankets to help treat newborn jaundice while allowing the baby to be “skin-to-skin” with their parent.
Other equipment includes a patient monitor that provides critical monitoring of a patient’s heart rhythm, breathing rate and blood oxygen levels.
“I want to thank every single Maritimer that stood up, donated and supported the IWK,” said Gillivan. “We need that help year after year and they know that. And they know that the IWK will be there to serve their children when they need it most.”
Julie and Jason Ramsay know that all too well.
The couple was at the Charlottetown site on Sunday with two-year-old daughter Harper and five-year-old son Hayden.
Julie said she was a patient at the IWK while pregnant with Harper, requiring three blood transfusions before she was born.
“If it wasn’t for that facility, she probably wouldn’t be here today or wouldn’t be as healthy as she is today,” said Ramsay. “We always were (supporters of the IWK) anyway, but it means a whole lot more now that we’ve experienced it.”
While for a good cause, Julie said the day was also fun outing for her children.
Face painting and crafts, as well as building blocks and inflatables were available at the Delta Prince Edward, which was the remote location for the telethon in Charlottetown.
Mike MacKenzie, chair of P.E.I.’s telethon volunteer committee, said the event saw a great crowd of both donors and children having fun.
It also had a personal touch, with one craft table allowing children to write get-well cards to current patients at the IWK.
“The kids are able to sit down and make a small message, its unique to P.E.I.,” said MacKenzie. “Everyone has or knows someone with a connection to the IWK even if it’s indirectly.”
Donations can still be made to the IWK Foundation by calling 1-800-595-2266 or visiting www.iwkfoundation.org.
Twitter.com/Mitch_PEI