STRATFORD - Islanders' generosity came through this weekend in the form of a record-breaking year for the QEH EastLink Telethon.
A total of $940,793 was raised for the 19th annual telethon, which will be used to purchase priority medical equipment for P.E.I.'s largest referral hospital.
That's up more than $200,000 from the $727,275 raised in 2014.
Telethon chair Chris Whitlock said he was feeling nervous while waiting for the final numbers from the telethon, which was broadcasted live from the EastLink TV headquarters in Stratford.
"But Islanders came through and there was no doubt about it," said Whitlock, who has chaired the event for five years. "The generosity just gets stronger and stronger."
One of the highlights was a major pledge of $520,000 from the QEH Auxiliary.
Auxiliary president Dorothy Johnston said those funds are part of a two-year pledge that will go towards two causes
She said $275,000 will go towards Supply Processing and Distribution (SPD) for a sterilized instrument tracking system.
"Since they now this money is forthcoming, they can now order the equipment," said Johnston. "If you've ever had the opportunity to see how intricate these pieces of equipment are for eye surgery, knee and hip replacements, some are so minute that you can barely see them. This is a way for SPD to track these expensive pieces of equipment."
The other $245,000 of the pledge will go towards ophthalmology equipment.
Johnston said she finds the weekend emotional, especially since much of the auxiliary's money is raised through volunteer efforts.
In addition to dinners, dances and other fundraisers, volunteers also help operate the two auxiliary shops in the QEH, The Royal Pantry and Lillibet's.
"We probably had one of the worst winters ever and our volunteers were getting rides to be there at the hospital, it's just amazing."
Funds will also go towards equipment for diagnostic imaging, specifically toward a nuclear medicine SPECT/CT camera.
For the nineteenth year in a row, Marlene MacDonald anchored the desk during the 18-hour event with more than 20 co-hosts joining in from across the province.
The event also sees Islanders share their heartfelt experiences at the QEH, as well as uplifting musical performances.
Bruce MacLean, regional manager of Eastlink TV in P.E.I., said the company was honoured to partner with the QEH Foundation in supporting the hospital.
"The success of the weekend is only possible with the hard work and dedication of many volunteers, including the entertainers, production crews, and community groups," he said.
Medical equipment needs are ongoing, and donations can still be made to the telethon and pledges honoured by calling the QEH Foundation at (902) 894-2425 or online through the foundation's web site www.qehfoundation.pe.ca
STRATFORD - Islanders' generosity came through this weekend in the form of a record-breaking year for the QEH EastLink Telethon.
A total of $940,793 was raised for the 19th annual telethon, which will be used to purchase priority medical equipment for P.E.I.'s largest referral hospital.
That's up more than $200,000 from the $727,275 raised in 2014.
Telethon chair Chris Whitlock said he was feeling nervous while waiting for the final numbers from the telethon, which was broadcasted live from the EastLink TV headquarters in Stratford.
"But Islanders came through and there was no doubt about it," said Whitlock, who has chaired the event for five years. "The generosity just gets stronger and stronger."
One of the highlights was a major pledge of $520,000 from the QEH Auxiliary.
Auxiliary president Dorothy Johnston said those funds are part of a two-year pledge that will go towards two causes
She said $275,000 will go towards Supply Processing and Distribution (SPD) for a sterilized instrument tracking system.
"Since they now this money is forthcoming, they can now order the equipment," said Johnston. "If you've ever had the opportunity to see how intricate these pieces of equipment are for eye surgery, knee and hip replacements, some are so minute that you can barely see them. This is a way for SPD to track these expensive pieces of equipment."
The other $245,000 of the pledge will go towards ophthalmology equipment.
Johnston said she finds the weekend emotional, especially since much of the auxiliary's money is raised through volunteer efforts.
In addition to dinners, dances and other fundraisers, volunteers also help operate the two auxiliary shops in the QEH, The Royal Pantry and Lillibet's.
"We probably had one of the worst winters ever and our volunteers were getting rides to be there at the hospital, it's just amazing."
Funds will also go towards equipment for diagnostic imaging, specifically toward a nuclear medicine SPECT/CT camera.
For the nineteenth year in a row, Marlene MacDonald anchored the desk during the 18-hour event with more than 20 co-hosts joining in from across the province.
The event also sees Islanders share their heartfelt experiences at the QEH, as well as uplifting musical performances.
Bruce MacLean, regional manager of Eastlink TV in P.E.I., said the company was honoured to partner with the QEH Foundation in supporting the hospital.
"The success of the weekend is only possible with the hard work and dedication of many volunteers, including the entertainers, production crews, and community groups," he said.
Medical equipment needs are ongoing, and donations can still be made to the telethon and pledges honoured by calling the QEH Foundation at (902) 894-2425 or online through the foundation's web site www.qehfoundation.pe.ca
