Halifax, N.S. (May 31, 2026) — Maritimers have once again shown the extraordinary power of community, raising a record-breaking $9,110,219.34 through this year’s IWK Telethon for Children on CTV to help patients and families across the region get the care they need—so they can continue dreaming big.
“Year after year, our Maritime community shows up for children and families in a remarkable way because they know the need is great,” said Jennifer Gillivan, President and CEO, IWK Foundation. “Reaching $9,110,219.34 is an incredible milestone and a powerful reflection of what we can achieve together. Because of this support, more children will receive the specialized care they need in those critical moments.”
The Telethon is the IWK Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser, supporting IWK Health’s most urgent priorities. Funds raised this year will help purchase equipment, advance research and innovation, and support care that changes lives every day—giving children, like Levi who was featured on the broadcast, the best possible chance to heal, grow and make their biggest dreams come true.
Levi marked his last day of Grade 10 like many kids across the Maritimes – swimming with friends. However, what started as a fun day quickly turned into a traumatic one when he jumped into a pool and hit his head. Flown by EHS LifeFlight to the IWK from New Brunswick, Levi spent over a month in the IWK’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and the Medical Surgical Unit, where it was determined that he was paralyzed from the chest down. Thanks to several groundbreaking surgeries, he has regained limited mobility in his arms and hands.
Levi is set to graduate from high school this year and has been accepted into a university program, where he has dreams of becoming an engineer to help other people with accessibility needs.
The 42nd IWK Telethon marked a milestone for CTV Atlantic.
“For thirty years, CTV Atlantic has been an invaluable partner in our largest fundraising event of the year, and we are deeply grateful for its longstanding commitment to Maritime children, youth and families,” said Jennifer Gillivan, President and CEO, IWK Foundation. “Their extraordinary generosity, compassion and steadfast support have helped make the Telethon and Radiothon a meaningful force for good in our community. We are sincerely appreciative of this enduring partnership and the impact it continues to have on the lives of those we serve.”
“It’s an honour for our team to work on a project this big and this impactful,” says Trent McGrath, Vice President and General Manager, CTV Atlantic. “Over the years we’ve been able to work with the IWK Foundation to find ways to make Telethon better year after year and it’s a weekend every one of our staff feel very proud of.”
The four-day event began Thursday with Hype Day at IWK Health; continued on Friday with the IWK Radiothon on select iHeartRadio stations; Saturday a live tribute show on CTV Atlantic was hosted by Jonathan Torrens and Katie Kelly, and featured performances by Neon Dreams, Funk Unit, Ian Janes, Amelia Parker, Declan and Ryker Power, Joce Reyome, Reeny Smith, Wolf Castle and Kim Dunn as musical director; and, culminated in the uplifting 42nd IWK Telethon for children on CTV that brought communities together in a shared show of generosity.
Donations to the IWK Foundation can be made by visiting iwkfoundation.org or calling 1-800-595-2266.
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Media Relations
IWK Foundation
P: 902-233-2947
E: mediarelations@iwkfoundation.org