In just over a week, the 17th annual 800 CHAB Family First Radiothon will be taking over the Town n’ Country Mall.  

The radiothon will hit the airwaves for 36 hours on May 4 and 5 to help support the Moose Jaw Health Foundation and buy new equipment for the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital.  

Over the last 16 years, one staple of the radiothon has been respiratory therapist Deign Salido who has been a part of the event each and every year.  

“I always look forward to the Family First Radiothon,” says Deign. “It’s a special event to my heart and I hope the community stands by the radiothon.” 

Deign followed in the footsteps of his father, who was in the medical field in Moose Jaw from 1981 to 2006. 

Many memories have been made at the Family First Radiothon over the years with Deign and his family. One of which was when his son Shaad donated the contents of his piggy bank to the radiothon when he was about five years old.  

“Maybe this year I will give $5 dollars instead of $4 dollars. I remember taking a couple of coins out of the piggy bank,” says Shaad. 

This year the fundraising goal is $150,000 to allow the health foundation to purchase new state-of-the-art equipment for the Emergency Room and Intensive Care Units within the hospital. 

“Healthcare is ever growing, and technology is ever growing. When we practice our clinical skills, we do so with the help of some of that technology.” 

With the funds raised the hospital hopes to buy a new glidescope, which Deign says has come in handy, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic to help save lives.  

A glidescope is a special instrument we use for intubating a patient and allows the staff to have a real-time view of their airways.  

Over the years, Deign has been the recipient of equipment purchased from the radiothon that he has been able to use as a respiratory therapist.  

“We’ve had neo-natal non-invasive equipment called the Fabian, which we have been using quite constantly, helping save baby’s lives, stabilizing them while we wait for the transport team from Regina to pick up these babies. The health foundation has been an integral part in helping the staff and patients.” 

The hospital will be looking to purchase a specialized critical care bed, an ultrasound probe, and lastly, a QuickThaw Plasma System.  

Being able to purchase new equipment year after year has been made possible by the generous support and donations of the community of Moose Jaw.  

“All the money stays in Moose Jaw and it’s helping your community out,” concludes Deign. “Sometimes the pennies are tight, and every little bit helps. Community involvement is essential to making the lives better in our community.” 

Last year $159,914 was raised for the women’s health and pediatric units to be able to buy new equipment.      

Over the last 16 years, the radiothon has raised $4,809,384 for the hospital.   

The Health Foundation is in need of volunteers for this year’s Radiothon. Those that are interested in volunteering can contact the Health Foundation at 306-694-0373. More information about this year's Radiothon can be found HERE.     

Have a listen to the visit with Deign, his mother Mercedes his son, Shaad, and 800 CHAB's Rob Carnie: