Keep on ringing those phones Saskatchewan, as the 2023 Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Radiothon presented by CIBC Wood Gundy continues into its second day.  

Once again, the goal is to raise money towards helping sick kids all across Saskatchewan and the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.  

This year we are raising money for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Saskatchewan only has one Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in the province and it is located at the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital. 

"The patients that we take care of in the PICU span a huge range of ages. They become critically ill from many different reasons and, at times, they are so sick and they really require advanced therapies and technologies just to adequately support and bridge them to recovery," said Dr. Meghan Garner, Pediatric Critical Care Physician. 

The money raised will help enhance provincial pediatric care including providing better access to pediatric transports for children living in rural and remote communities. It will also allow specialists to provide care for children remotely with virtual robotics to keep them closer to home as well as supply the unit with cutting-edge technology. 

"The PICU home base is at the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital in Saskatoon, but our reach is far beyond that. So, a huge part of our job actually is providing advice, support to our regional and rural healthcare professional colleagues remotely," Garner said. 

Each year the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital sees over 80,000 Saskatchewan children and babies, or the equivalent of 220 patients a day. 

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit has over 650 patients yearly and 62 per cent of PICU patients are from outside of Saskatoon. 

All donations are being matched up to $150,000 by Gord and Barb Broda. 

Since the very first Radiothon, 21 years ago, over $15.26 million has been raised for Saskatchewan moms and kids in the hospital. 

"These donations are our means to support our children for years to come. We don't want to meet standards of care. We want to innovate. We want to be leaders. We want to set the standards of care," Garner commented. 

To donate, you can call the CPKC Sunshine Line at 1-888-808-KIDS (5437) until 5 p.m. this evening or visit pattisonchildrens.ca.