Part Of Clinic 1 Expansion To Be Named After Radio-Thon Partners

A section of the Saint John Regional Hospital’s expanded Clinic 1 will be named after the Love Your Hospital Radio-thon and its partners.

Jamie Gallagher, chair of the hospital foundation’s board of directors, unveiled the news on Friday.

“Over the last four years, we’ve had over 2,000 radio-thon supporters and over that period of time the donors have given $930,000 toward the Clinic 1 campaign,” said Gallagher.

More than $239,000 was raised during this year’s 12-hour radio-thon on Thursday, about $10,000 more than last year, according to Gallagher.

Gallagher said they were overwhelmed and over the moon by this year’s response from the community.

“You’re always a little hesitant when you go into these sorts of things, especially in these times, but we just can’t believe it,” said Gallagher.

“Based on what’s happening out there, I think people just feel the need to give more and to support the hospital and all the great work that we do at the hospital,” he added.

The radio-thon is a partnership between the hospital foundation and Acadia Broadcasting’s sister stations, Country 94.1 and 97.3 The Wave.

“Supporting our communities is at the heart of everything we do at Acadia,” Chris Pearson, president of Acadia Broadcasting Limited,’ said in a statement.

“Acadia is honoured to be able to provide the platform inviting the public to learn more about the needs of the Saint John Regional Hospital. We are very proud of our health care providers as we continue our support for them and The Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation.”

Earlier this week, foundation CEO Jeff McAloon said they have nearly reached their $12-million campaign goal for the Clinic 1 expansion project.

The expansion will increase the square footage from 7,000 to 14,700 square feet, improving accessibility, privacy and patient comfort and care.

“The clinic serves over 40,000 patients from across Atlantic Canada every year,” said McAloon. “That number is expected to grow to about 45,000 patients per year in the short term.”

The clinic, which houses more than 30 specialities, has been untouched since the hospital was built in 1982, according to the foundation.

No word yet on when construction of the expansion project might begin.