WINGHAM – The CKNX Health Care Heroes Radiothon took to the airwaves on Oct. 19 with a mission to inspire support for local hospitals in mid-western Ontario.
At the end of the seven-hour broadcast, $376,189 was raised toward vital health care projects for hospitals in the participating communities, including Mount Forest, Wingham, Palmerston, Walkerton, Listowel, Clinton, Hanover and Seaforth.
That includes:
- $128,345 for Louise Marshall Hospital in Mount Forest;
- $57,255 for Wingham and District Hospital;
- $42,465 for Palmerston and District Hospital;
- $40,355 for South Bruce Grey Health Centre in Walkerton;
- $31,365 for Seaforth Community Hospital;
- $31,150 for Listowel Memorial Hospital;
- $26,289 for Clinton Public Hospital; and
- $18,565 for Hanover and District Hospital.
Each year since 2002, the CKNX Health Care Heroes Radiothon has dedicated a day to helping local hospitals share their message and inspire giving within their communities.
This year, the Radiothon was broadcast on AM920 from 9am to 4pm and featured heartwarming patient stories, interviews highlighting each foundation’s fundraising goals and projects, and motivational challenges encouraging listeners to make a donation and become a “Health Care Hero.”
In addition to the on-air broadcast, many of the participating hospital foundations also held in-person events to support their cause, including community breakfasts, photo sessions and bake sales.
Prior to going on air, each foundation selected an important project for which they were raising funds, including essential equipment like hematology analyzers, IT support and upgrades, patient beds, laboratory equipment, and vital signs monitors.
Local funding
The Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation (LMHF) plans to use the funding for IT support and upgrades, something officials describe as “incredibly essential” as it helps keep health information secure and “provides the technology necessary to keep the wheels turning at Louise Marshall Hospital.”
The Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation plans to put the funding towards new electrocardiogram (ECG) carts and platforms, along with other laboratory equipment.
The cost of capital equipment in Ontario hospitals is not supported though government funding, and these projects depend on gifts made from within the community.
A number of philanthropic businesses and organizations, including Germania Mutual Insurance, Bruce Power, Howick Mutual Insurance, and Axiom Mutual Insurance directed their support towards multiple participating hospital foundations.
Photographer Jess Hammett donated 50% of her proceeds from fall photo sessions along the Saugeen River to the LMHF in support of the radiothon.
Close to $15 million raised
Throughout its 23 years, the CKNX Health Care Heroes Radiothon has raised a grand total of $14,874,093 for local healthcare.
For many of the participating hospitals, Radiothon is one of their major fundraising campaigns each year, helping them to fund essential capital projects and equipment.
Text giving is open until the end of October, and people can make a $10 donation simply by texting the word HERO followed by the name of one of the hospitals to 41010. Alternately, visit cknx.ca/health-care-heroes-radiothon.
The 24th Annual CKNX Health Care Heroes Radiothon will take place Oct. 18, 2025.
