RADIO DAY 2023: Supporting Health Care in Cape Breton

The Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation’s largest fundraising initiative of the year is back! The 16^th annual Radio Day, presented in partnership by Hot 101.9 and New Country 103.5, will take place on Thursday, October 5, 2023, from 6am-6pm.

Over the past 16 years, with the help of our incredible community, Radio Day has raised more than $10 MILLION for health care in Cape Breton.

This year, our Foundation is asking for our community’s support in launching a new and innovative fund: The Vital Patient-Care Fund.

Donate to Radio Day Now

Eliminating Barriers to Care

By supporting Radio Day 2023, you’ll be supporting patients on every floor of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.

Dan MacDonald, after being in the ICU for 55 days, required a CPAP machine before medical experts would allow him to safely be discharged from the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Donors of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation made this a possibility.

The Vital Patient-Care Fund will provide access to patient care supports for those experiencing financial burdens associated with their health care journeys. Here are some examples of what the fund will support:

• • • • • • • The purchase of care items necessary for discharge from the hospital, thus freeing up beds for other patients (i.e. medications, personal care equipment, beds, accessibility ramps)
            • Travel needs such as emergency trips to Halifax for patients and their families
            • The purchase of clean clothing in which to leave the hospital
            • Renting accessibility equipment like wheelchairs
            • and more.

Last year, our Foundation saw a 72 per cent increase in disbursements (funds distributed to health care priorities). With high levels of poverty on the island, an aging and growing population, and an expanded cost of living, this Fund is needed now, more than ever.

The Vital Patient-Care Fund will support more than 30 patients each month – that’s nearly one patient per day.

Read Dan MacDonald’s Story

Social Determinants of Health

Pictured here are some of Cape Breton Regional Hospital’s medical social workers. Left to right: Jessica MacLean, Unit 4C, Stroke Team; Bernadette Confiant, Unit 3A & 4A, Intermediate Care; Kathy MacGuire, Renal Dialysis Unit; Lindsey Power, Unit 4B; Kristin Crowe, Emergency Department, Coronary Care Unit, Heart Function Clinic, Geriatric/Memory Clinic; Katie Young, Unit 3B & 4D, Intensive Care Unit; Meaghan Grant-Bennett, Palliative Care Unit and Hospice.

As defined by the World Health Organization, the social determinants of health are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. Research shows that the social determinants can be more important than health care or lifestyle choices in influencing health, and that poorer populations systematically experience worse health than richer populations.

“This fund acknowledges that health care goes beyond medical treatments and recognizes the significance of addressing social determinants of health,” says Kristin Crowe, medical social worker at the CBRH. “A patient’s ability to afford health care should not dictate their access to quality care and support. This fund will help ensure equitable health care provision.”

“On behalf of patients and their families whose lives you have positively impacted, thank you for your unwavering dedication to improving health care and making a meaningful difference in our small but mighty community,” says Kristin.

Ways to Give this Radio Day  

There are several ways to support Radio Day, the new Vital Patient-Care Fund, and patients on every floor of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital:

• Monthly Giving: Monthly giving is a convenient way to make a positive, consistent and lasting impact on health care in Cape Breton. Learn more about monthly giving, here.
• One-time Gift: Power in numbers! One-time gifts from many individuals truly make a difference.
• Double your impact: Whether you’re giving monthly or a one-time gift, our generous Power Hour Partners are BACK, matching up to $12,500 in donations EACH during their respective Power Hours:
  • • Meco Construction DKI Power Hour – 8-9am
    • Schwartz Furniture Power Hour – 12-1pm
    • Jim Sampson Motors Power Hour – 4-5pm
• Double your impact ONLINE: C. S. Boudreau Holdings Ltd. has become our first ever ONLINE matching donor. By donating online this Radio Day, your donations will be matched, up to $10,000!
• Host a Fundraiser: Looking to have a larger impact? Host a fundraiser and rally your community. Learn more about hosting a fundraiser, here.
• Volunteer: Radio Day is truly a community effort, with more than 100 volunteers helping day-of. Learn more about volunteering with our Foundation, here.

♥♥ Gifts can be made by phoning 1-877-567-8077, or online, here. ♥♥

Thank you for supporting Radio Day and health care in Cape Breton, and helping to eliminate barriers to care.

This Radio Day, October 5, tune in and give back, because you care.

Donate to Radio Day NowTune into New Country 103.5Tune in to Hot 101.9