From left to right, Q98 host Andy Cohen, Battlefords Healthcare Foundation executive director Leanne Ducommun, CJNB/CJNS host Grant Schutte and 93.3 Beach Radio host Nic Fransoo are pictured at the live broadcast setup for the 12-hour Radiothon fundraiser in the BUH lobby on Friday, May 9, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

ON AIR FOR HEALTH CARE

‘A complete home run’: Radiothon raises over $280K for BUH lab upgrades in 12 hours

May 9, 2025 | 7:25 PM

The sounds of ringing phones, heartfelt stories and radio hosts cheering filled the lobby of the Battlefords Union Hospital (BUH) on Friday as the annual On Air for Health Care Radiothon raised $281,619 in donations — all in support of lab upgrades that organizers say will help save lives across northwest Saskatchewan.

The campaign, organized by the Battlefords Healthcare Foundation in partnership with Pattison Media, aimed to raise $400,000 through its new capital initiative ‘Test. Treat. Save Lives.’ to purchase diagnostic equipment that will speed up lab results and improve treatment for conditions like sepsis.

While the official goal hasn’t been reached yet, Leanne Ducommun, executive director of the foundation said the response from the community was nothing short of remarkable.

“I can’t stop smiling. This has been such an amazing day,” said Ducommun. “We’ve seen all different kinds of donors walking in, giving calls and making such gracious donations. We are just so grateful.”

Leanne Ducommun, executive director of the Battlefords Healthcare Foundation. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

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She said the urgency of the campaign was brought into sharp focus after hearing from hospital staff about the potential impact of faster test turnaround.

“Hearing from the lab staff, and just really hearing about the stats and what having this new technology is going to be doing — from going from 18 hours to knocking that down to one to two hours — can make such a difference for families,” she said. “When you’re waiting for those lab test results… I think it could make such a huge impact.”

Radio hosts who helped carry the 12-hour live broadcast said the stories and support they witnessed will stay with them long after the final tally is in.

“This is one of my favourite days of the year, because it really does show how much people care,” said 93.3 Beach Radio host Nic Fransoo. “We set out to raise $400,000, now just keep in mind, that’s a capital campaign that generally takes a full year — and today we raised over $281,000 in 12 hours. It staggers me. It knocks the wind out of me.”

93.3 Beach Radio host Nic Fransoo (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

Fransoo, who grew up in North Battleford, said the Radiothon is a reflection of how deeply residents care about home.

“This is where my heart really, truly was,” he said. “And I think that’s the feeling everybody has who lives here — this is where their heart is, and so why not take care of it in the best way possible?”

CJNB/CJNS host Grant Schutte called the event “an amazing day,” and said the scale of lab testing was eye-opening.

“400,000 lab tests go through in a year here — there’s only like over 80 to 90,000 people that live in the northwest. That is a mind-boggling stat,” Schutte said. “Basically everybody who comes to the hospital has some form of lab test taken. So in terms of overarching reach… I think this is hugely important.”

CJNB/CJNS host Grant Schutte (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

Q98 host Andy Cohen said the day offered a rare chance to learn more about a department that quietly plays a critical role behind the scenes.

“It was, as always, a learning experience to get to know another department in our hospital,” Cohen said. “They do play a vital role in making sure that we get the medicine that we need, the diagnosis that we need… if we can get equipment that’ll get us there in a timely manner, so we can get the best care and on the road to better health — that’s something to be proud of.”

Q98 host Andy Cohen (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

While donations continue to be accepted online at buhfoundation.com, Ducommun said even those who simply tuned in helped make a difference.

“Even if those who weren’t maybe able to donate today, I hope that when you tuned in, you were able to hear and become inspired by what it’s like to invest in health care,” she said. “And really think about what that legacy impact will mean for yourself, for your family and for future generations.”

The live broadcast ran from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the three radio channels.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the number of lab tests annually was 25,000. In fact, there are 400,000 annual lab tests. The story has since been corrected.

cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com