For Immediate Release
Halifax, N.S. (June 6, 2021) – The Maritime community welcomed the IWK Telethon back with open arms, pledging an incredible $6,630,585 million in support of the IWK. Celebrating the power of community in its 37th year, the Telethon wrapped up its virtual broadcast from the CTV Atlantic studio in Halifax on Sunday evening with a special grand finale performance with many East Coast musicians coming together to sing Dave Gunning’s song These Hands.
“It’s been a very hard year and despite the challenges we’ve all faced, the generosity of Maritimers continues to shine bright for the IWK. Watching individuals, families, kids, organizations, businesses and entertainers from across our region come together virtually today was a very special celebration of the power of community,” says Jennifer Gillivan, President & CEO, IWK Foundation. “We’ve proven time and again this year that together we are stronger. We are humbled by the heart and generosity of everyone who supported the 37th IWK Telethon and grateful to our broadcast partners at CTV for bringing this spectacular and safe event to life.”
The IWK Telethon is the IWK’s largest annual fundraiser and supports the ongoing urgent priorities and opportunities at the IWK including equipment, education, research and innovation. This year, donors to the Telethon purchased many important pieces of equipment. One example is the CADD Infusion Pump and accessories for the IWK’s Pediatric Pain team. These pumps allow children to push a button when they are in pain and receive a safe dose of pain medication that has been programmed in advance by the pain physician.
Many IWK patients and families also shared their inspiring stories including the Matchett family from Charter Settlement, New Brunswick. Filmed remotely using Zoom and with photos and videos submitted by the family, viewers followed Norah’s journey of coming to Canada after being adopted in India two years ago and the specialized treatment she’s received at the IWK for her bilateral cleft lip and palate.
“Being part of the community that comes together to help kids like Big Brave Norah from across the Maritimes who rely on the IWK is why our team at CTV is so proud to be the broadcast partner of this important event each year,” says Trent McGrath, General Manager, CTV Atlantic. “Every one of us has needed, or know someone who has needed, care at the IWK and we are committed to ensuring it continues to be the absolute best for our kids.”
“The IWK has felt the impact of this pandemic and the need for support is greater than ever before. Tomorrow, our work to raise funds for the IWK will continue and we’re humbled to know our generous community will always be right there with us,” says Gillivan.
Donations to the IWK Foundation can be made by calling 1-800-595-2266 or visiting www.iwkfoundation.org.
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About IWK Foundation
The IWK Foundation is a champion of excellence in women's and children's health and medicine and works in partnership with IWK Health 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 $13 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. Visit www.iwkfoundation.org for more information.
About CTV News
CTV News is Canada’s most-watched news organization both locally and nationally, and has a network of national, international, and local news operations. CTV News operations include CTV NEWS CHANNEL, BNN Bloomberg, CP24, and information programming, including CTV NATIONAL NEWS WITH LISA LAFLAMME, CTV NATIONAL NEWS WITH SANDIE RINALDO, W5, POWER PLAY, and QUESTION PERIOD. Flagship news sites include CTVNews.ca, as well as CP24.com and BNNBloomberg.ca, and are complemented by the CTV News, CP24, and BNN Bloomberg apps, and text-over-video product, ON THE GO, which provide a direct connection to Canada’s most trusted news anytime and anywhere. With a perspective that is distinctly Canadian, CTV News brings Canadians the international and domestic news stories of the day and is the #1 news organization in Canada.
For more information, please contact:
Kelly Duggan
Advisor, Stakeholder Relations & Public Affairs
c: (902) 220-8029 e: kelly.duggan@iwk.nshealth.ca