The South Asian communities of both Surrey and Calgary gave generously to two major hospitals on November 6, celebrating the birthday (Gurupurab) of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji, the founder of the Sikh faith. The Radiothons were organized by RED FM, which operates two ethnic radio stations in Surrey and one in Calgary.
Although the combined South Asian population in the two communities is less than 200,000 people, members pledged more than $1.6 million through the Gurupurab Radiothons held simultaneously in both cities. The beneficiaries were: Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey and the Peter Lougheed Centre in Calgary.
The first annual Gurupurab Radiothon was held at RED FM Surrey in 2007. Since then, the Radiothon has raised funds for BC hospitals and the Canadian Red Cross.
This year's Radiothon in Surrey raised $725,000 in donations and pledges for Surrey Hospital & Outpatient Centre Foundation (formerly Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation) in support of the hospital's Acute Stroke Unit. In Calgary, the inaugural Radiothon raised $869,900.
"Every year, the Radiothon demonstrates how deeply this community cares for our hospital,” said Surrey Hospital & Outpatient Centre Foundation President & CEO Jane Adams. “A big thank you to everyone who donated and kudos to RED FM for sponsoring an event that enables the South Asian community to celebrate Guru Nanak’s birthday with giving hearts.”
In recognition of this milestone and the generosity of the South Asian community, the new stroke unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital has been named the Guru Ram Das Stroke Unit. Guru Ram Das was fourth among the ten Sikh Gurus.
This is the sixth Radiothon in support of Surrey Hospital & Outpatient Centre Foundation. Every donation goes directly to the foundation, as RED FM generously sponsors the event and donates 100 per cent of the airtime.
“Raising funds during the Gurupurab Radiothon has become an annual tradition for our community. I am humbled and touched by the generosity of our listeners. I have the deepest regard for the faith that people have shown in RED FM,” said South Asian Broadcasting Corporation President, Kulwinder Sanghera. “We all know someone who has suffered a stroke and we understand the importance of having a world-class stroke unit in Surrey.”
There's still time to make your donation online at Surrey Hospital & Outpatient Centre Foundation's website www.championsforcare.com/radiothon
