The countdown to the 11th Annual Family First Radiothon is on. Thursday and Friday, 800 CHAB will broadcast from the Wigmore hospital, with a goal of $150,000 to purchase new critical care equipment.

V-P of Clinical Services for the Five Hills Health Region, Laurie Albinet, says the portable ultrasound machines on the wish list can help doctors make quick decisions when patients arrive.

"A quick decision can be made, there's times where that means a transfer to a tertiary centre or it means that something isn't required to move on and they just need surgical intervention or medical intervention."

Over $3 million has been raised in the Radiothon's first 10 years. The Radiothon begins at 6am this Thursday and everyone is invited to stop by the hospital to make a donation.