'It’s a piece of normal coming back': Annual IWK Telethon returns on Sunday
A yearly tradition that provides crucial funds to the region’s largest children’s hospital is back this year, after pushing pause in 2020 due to the pandemic.
The 37th annual IWK Telethon will look a little different due to public health restrictions, but the spirit of the fundraiser hasn’t changed a bit.
"Our biggest change this year for telethon is that we’re no longer live from the IWK,” explains telethon executive producer Liz Rigney. “We are here at CTV Atlantic where we’ve had to build two sets to accommodate the talent and all of our content.”
The flow of the telethon will remain very similar to previous years – with donors, heartwarming patient stories and entertainment, plus a few surprises.
"No matter where we are, or what kind of show we put together, we always have the generosity of Maritimes. We always have the donors who, year after year, provide us with so many essential funds for the IWK,” Rigney adds.
“We have the real amazing entertainment as well - so same show, just a little different in terms of location and some of the content. We’ve had to reach people via social media and reach them through Zoom, through video conferencing in order to have them on the show.”
The IWK Foundation reached out to Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Dave Gunning for some help with a special project for this year’s telethon.
Gunning says the answer was easy.
"They do incredible work at that hospital and it would be horrible if we didn’t have that place,” says Gunning. “They play such an important role in the province, so whenever they reach out to me the answer is always yes without even knowing the question.”
The president and CEO of the IWK Foundation says cancelling the telethon for the first time in 36 years due to the pandemic, was one of the hardest decisions they’ve ever made – but it feels good to be back in an innovative and virtual manner.
“What hasn’t changed is the need is so great at the IWK, they haven’t stopped. In fact, they’ve had more need, so it just feels great to be here this weekend with all of the community coming together to celebrate the power of where we live and who we are as people and to help the IWK,” says Jennifer Gillivan, IWK Foundation president.
“Community built the IWK, it’s theirs and I don’t think they’re going to let us down this weekend, I really don’t. I’m so grateful to every single donor out there.”
Gillivan says funds raised will support areas in the hospital with the greatest needs, priorities, programs and equipment.
“If you think about phototherapy, pieces of equipment in the neonatal intensive care unit, there’s pain pieces of equipment for the pediatric area, there’s pieces of equipment for urology, and it goes on,” she explains. “There’s a big list.”
Gillivan says she is grateful for all the work that has gone into making this year’s telethon a reality, “it’s a piece of normal coming back.”
“When I think of the parents and the people who really need this facility, and it’s because of Maritime donors that they have all of the equipment they need to offer world class care,” adds Rigney. “So that to me, has become the most important message this year – we are lucky to have this place and we need support to make it even better.”
The 37th annual IWK Telethon will be broadcasting live from the CTV Atlantic studios in Halifax, Sunday, June 6th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.