Keep Life Wild Radiothon Raises Over $111,000 for Local Health Care

The Keep Life Wild Radiothon, aimed at enhancing local health care, exceeded its $100,000 fundraising goal on October 10, 2023. The event, organized by CTV Barrie in partnership with radio stations BOUNCE 104.1 and Pure Country 106, raised $111,106.10 within a 12-hour period, with more donations expected as the campaign continues.

Josh Duncan, program director at Pure Country 106, expressed gratitude for the community’s support. “I’m not sure who kicked in the dime, but it put us over the top,” he remarked, noting that contributions are still coming in. Stories shared during the radiothon highlighted the importance of local health services, with on-air host Jason McCoy emphasizing how personal narratives resonate with listeners. “It reminds people that putting those tools in the hands of those that take care of us is paramount,” McCoy stated.

The fundraiser is part of the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) initiative, known as the Keeping Life Wild campaign, which aims to raise $100 million for improved health care services, advanced technology, and enhanced patient spaces across the Simcoe Muskoka region. The funds raised will directly contribute to reducing wait times, mitigating hallway medicine, and ensuring that patients receive care closer to home.

Mary-Anne Firth, a member of the RVH Foundation Board of Directors, commented on the community’s desire for accessible care. “It doesn’t matter what the challenge is, what the request is, people want the care closer to home; they don’t want to be driving down the highways for care,” she said.

This year, PureHealth Pharmacy pledged to match all donations up to $50,000, effectively doubling the impact of contributions made during the radiothon. Over the years, the event has successfully raised more than $2 million for RVH, a testament to the region’s commitment to supporting local health care initiatives.

“We’re so lucky to have the people that we do in the region; they step up time and again,” Firth added, highlighting the generosity of the community. Donations remain open for those wishing to contribute, either through online platforms or by visiting the RVH Foundation office, located at the hospital’s main entrance on Georgian Drive. The office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and inquiries can be made by calling 705-739-5600.

The success of the Keep Life Wild Radiothon underscores the collective effort to bolster health care services in the area, ensuring that residents receive essential medical attention without the need for long-distance travel.