RVH's Keep Life Wild Radiothon seeks $125K boost for critical care expansion
The two-day Keep Life Wild Radiothon kicked off Thursday morning to support health care close to home.
Officials with Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) in Barrie said funds raised will go a long way at the hospital.
"We need to expand critical care. We have a wonderful ICU, but it is very old, and it is small. As we speak right now, it is completely full, and we are actually spread into other units to accommodate the critically ill patients so there is a definite need for a bigger modernized ICU," said Dr. Chris Martin, chief and medical director of critical care at RVH.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Martin said RVH is hoping to expand not only in size but also in scope by bringing additional programs to the region.
"Expanding our oncology program more, we would like to look at thoracics and other programs as well and in the potentially expanding trauma down the road. All of these programs will require a critical care backup as well as just our growing population," said Martin.
Brad Ross is a cardiac patient at RVH and said the centre saved his life after he suffered a heart attack.
"I was having what's called a widowmaker heart attack. When you're having one of those heart attacks, they say time is muscle, and the longer you wait, the greater the risk of you not surviving. Until just a couple of years ago, patients like me would have been transported to Southlake in Newmarket, and it was thanks to donors and people in the community raising money, fundraising and making donations to RVH," said Ross.
Pure Country 106 and Bounce 104.1 broadcast live at RVH throughout the day and shared with CTV News this year's Radiothon goal to raise $125,000.
"We've been receiving a lot of calls, a lot of donations, challenges as well going out to firefighters in Simcoe Muskoka, a lot of challenges. It's really heartening to know that people are willing to open up their wallets and their hearts, especially at this time of the year," said Carey Moran, Pure Country 106 morning show host.
Radio hosts from Pure Country and Bounce will be back broadcasting live Friday, from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.
The overall campaign goal is to hit $100 million, and since that launch last fall, $30 million has already been raised.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.