Volunteers, organizers and hospital staff conitnued their hard work during the day on Friday at the 12th annual 800 CHAB Family First Radiothon collecting donations to stay in our city. 

The total continued to climb as the 800 CHAB Family First Radiothon passed noon on Friday with less than six hours to go.

All funds will be given to the Moose Jaw Health Foundation to purchase new state of the art equipment that could save more lives as patients turn to our local hospital for medical care. The money raised this year will be used to buy lifesaving surgical equipment like a travelling endoscopy cart, a glidescope, and a defibrillator.

The live broadcast radiothon has featured voices of the hospital such as surgeons, nurses and administrative staff, and also organizations, emergency service teams and local businesses - all volunteering their time to help reach this year's goal of $125,000.

"It's 36 hours of connecting healthcare with people in the community and telling those stories. People give from their hearts to support their family and friends and that's why we named it the Family First Radiothon, because every dollar will help save and enhance a life and improve the quality of life for so many people in this community," said Executive Director for the Health Foundation Kelly McElree. 

Having lofty goal of over $100,000 isn't an easy feat, but Laurie Albinet with Clinical Services knows the funds will be put to good use.

"When we were moving in here we planned for expansion, we built the fourth OR, we could foresee the opportunities in surgical care," explained Albinet.

Pastor Doug Sheppard was treated for a heart attack at the local hospital and knows the community has a passion for health care and wants to be involved.

"I don't think they want a better hospital, I think they want the best hospital," said Pastor Sheppard. "One of the ways to achieve that is through events just like this, the wonderful work that CHAB is doing to bring this to the public and to invite the public to be involved in it is really good."

Knowing that every donation counts, volunteers and staff will be on site taking donations until 6 pm on Friday; following that the final total will be announced live on 800 CHAB. 

You can make a donation by stopping by our local hospital or by calling 691-4483 (691-GIVE) or toll free 1-888-691-4483.