The Surrey Hospital Foundation has been “fortunate” to be the recipient of RedFM’s annual radiothon for the past decade, says foundation president and CEO Jane Adams.
In the past 10 years, Adams said the radiothon has raised “well over $6.5 million” to improve health care at the busy hospital.
On Nov. 23, the radiothon raised $543,000 in a little more than 12 hours, Adams said. This year, the event benefited the coronary care unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital.
“The money has been invested in everything from emergency care to the last two years donations have been invested under our coronary care unit, buying new monitors, buying a new ultrasound for our coronary care unit so people can have their hearts imaged right away,” Adams told the Now-Leader.
Kulwinder Sanghera, president at RedFM, said in a Surrey Hospital Foundation video that when the radio station was formed, there was always the plan to do something to make a difference in the community.
Last month the South Asian community opened their hearts with generosity at the annual Gurpurab radiothon @RED931FM We are so grateful. https://t.co/QLbURcP4um
— Surrey Hospital Foundation (@SurreyHospFdn) December 14, 2018
“First, we approached Surrey Hospital that we wanted to do a radiothon to raise funds,” Sanghera said.
“At that time, the project for the new ER was under construction, and without thinking, I said, ‘We will raise $2 million for you.’”
Initially, Sanghera said, the station had a five-year commitment, but within two years the money was raised for the ER.
The radiothon, Adams said, coincides each year with the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
“We are very, very blessed in Surrey to have such a generous South Asian – largely Punjabi – community who celebrates community by giving to the hospital.
“We have lots of children who bring in piggy banks and seniors who bring in funds.”
Sanghera said he is happy to see children stop by to donate money on radiothon day.
“I look at their parents, and at an early age they’re teaching good values to their kids and that giving to others, it touches your heart.”
Adams said when the volunteers are working at the radiothon, they “really get to connect with people from every walk of life in our community.”
“It’s a wonderful, wonderful experience.”
lauren.collins@surreynowleader.com
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