The Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Radiothon presented by CIBC Wood Gundy is in full swing on Tuesday and Wednesday from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days.
They are continuously trying to raise money that will go toward lifesaving equipment and procedures at the children’s hospital that will provide the ability to help kids across the province battle diseases, and illnesses.
Over the course of the next two days, listeners across the province will hear stories of children and their families who were able to access the children’s hospital thanks to the generosity of the Saskatchewan people.
One of the avenues that the money raised in this year’s radiothon will go toward is additional therapy for acute kidney patients, such as nine-year-old Asher, and his seven-year-old sister Edith from Caronport.
Both kids suffer from chronic kidney disease. Edith was diagnosed 2 years ago with “Dense Deposit Disease” which is a rare kidney disease with increased proteins in her urine, lower levels of protein in her blood and possible swelling in her body.
Asher was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy. IgA is an antibody, a protein made by your immune system that causes inflammation and damage to the kidneys.
Due to their kidney diseases, both Asher and Edith have spent a lot of time at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital receiving treatment. Their father Joel Houston is very grateful for the children’s hospital.
“Wonderful communication with our team at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, so that has made that process really smooth,” says Houston. “The comfort they provided, the realism just talking plainly and seriously about what we’re dealing with. Just making us feel not at all like patients but welcome guests in the hospital.”
Current treatment for Edie and Asher includes healthy eating, good hydration, exercise and medication to help suppress their immune systems.
The answer is not clear at this point whether there is a genetic factor involved in their conditions, but both Joel and his wife Danielle have no kidney disease in their families.
Houston adds that they have been primary witnesses to the changes that have come from donations from people all over the province.
“We’re not giving thousands of dollars, we’re giving $20 and $50, but it just makes such a difference in the care that we’ve received. I would just say that it’s your opportunity to help someone. What may seem like a little to you, is a lot to them.”
To continue helping kids like Asher and Edith with kidney diseases, the hospital hopes to purchase a PrisMax Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) Machine. This machine will ensure more efficient and streamlined technology is used allowing JPCH medical professionals to achieve the highest standard of care for Saskatchewan children.
The funds from this year’s radiothon will also go to help advance equipment for innovative surgeries and increase the capacity of care for scoliosis patients.
Those who want to donate to the foundation can do by calling 1-888-808-KIDS (5437), or online at pattisonchildrens.ca
Since the very first Radiothon, 20 years ago, over $14.5 million has been raised for Saskatchewan moms and kids in hospital.
Tue, Apr 16, 7:00 PM
