Halifax, NS (April 16, 2020) - It is with great disappointment that the IWK Foundation announces the 36th IWK Telethon for Children on CTV will not broadcast as scheduled on June 6 & 7 due to COVID-19. While this decision was extremely difficult, the health and safety of our donors, volunteers, staff, health care providers, patients and families is our utmost priority during this time.
“The IWK Telethon is a tradition that has brought Maritimers together for the past 35 years and symbolizes the true spirit of our community. We have always been there for each other united in our connection to the IWK,” says Jennifer Gillivan, President & CEO, IWK Foundation. “In the weeks and months ahead, we are committed to finding innovative ways of celebrating our amazing donors while sharing the incredible stories of our patients and families and the exceptional care teams at the IWK.”
While responding to the ever-changing climate of COVID-19, the IWK Health Centre is going above and beyond to be there for the Maritime’s sickest and most vulnerable patients. These children continue to rely on the specialized care at the IWK and need the support of our Maritime community, especially during these uncertain times.
If you are able to support the IWK either through a monthly or one-time donation, please visit www.iwkfoundation.org/telethon to make a donation online. Or, please call 1-800-595-2266 and a member of the Foundation team will call you back to help facilitate your donation.
“Thank you to our broadcast partner CTV. Thank you to our many loyal donors who fundraise year-round for the IWK. And, thank you to our incredible Telethon volunteer committees across the Maritimes,” continues Gillivan. “We applaud your unwavering commitment to the IWK. Stay healthy, safe and support each other. Together, we are forever grateful.”
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About the IWK Foundation
The IWK Foundation is a champion of excellence in women's and children's health and medicine and works in partnership with the IWK Health Centre to support their vision of providing quality care to women, children, youth and families in the Maritime Provinces and beyond. Our donors are passionately committed to making a difference for Maritime families, contributing more than $15 million in support of the most urgent care priorities at the IWK last year. Funds raised also support the IWK's global leadership in research and knowledge sharing, which in turn improves lives worldwide.
For more information, please contact:
Lesley Gaum
Executive Lead, Stakeholder Relations and Public Affairs, IWK Foundation
lesley.gaum@iwk.nshealth.ca or 902-489-2867