Discover the powerful bonds forged where media, community and healthcare converge, uniting diverse groups with a shared mission

By: Meena Ma

Everett Ho (on the left), the SickKids patient ambassador, presented the Humanitarian Award to Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds in a moving moment at the Comedy and TV Drama Awards evening at the Canadian Screen Awards in Toronto on Friday, April 14, 2023. And took a photo with Reynolds after the ceremony. (Courtesy / SickKids)

Everett Ho, a longtime patient from The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), confidently stood on stage with his eyes fixated on actor Ryan Reynolds in the audience. "Hi Ryan," said Ho at the Canadian Screen Awards in Toronto on April 14.

"My name is Everett Ho and I’m 11 years old. I'm a SickKids kid, because I have spinal metaphyseal dysplasia. That's a big word right?,” Ho said with a cute smile. The audience, including Reynolds himself, couldn't help but share in the warmth of his words with heartfelt smiles.

When Ho was born, the doctor discovered something about him as they gently placed the newborn onto his mother, Karen Chow’s chest. Ho's spine had an unexpected curvature. From that very moment, Ho became a patient of SickKids.

Now, 11 years have elapsed since that pivotal day, Ho has undergone a staggering nine surgeries, each one a step towards improving his quality of life.

SickKids patient Everett Ho putting on a brave face at his spine surgery last year. Everett and his favorite stuffed animal "Monkey" have endured many surgeries together. (Courtesy of SickKids)

Chow shared that while significant progress has been made regarding his medical condition, there are plans for further surgeries. She shared this with Fairchild Radio at the SickKids Fairchild Fundraising Day.

The SickKids Fairchild Fundraising Day is a partnership between Fairchild Media Group (Fairchild) and SickKids. On Sept. 28, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., the airwaves at Fairchild Radio Station in Markham came alive with the sound of compassion and generosity. It marked the 20th consecutive year that Fairchild, a prominent Canadian media conglomerate renowned for its Chinese language content, joined forces with SickKids for a full 11-hour Radiothon.

Chow expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the longstanding support Fairchild’s audience have provided to SickKids over the years. She earnestly hopes that everyone can consider increasing their donations as SickKids is facing the challenge of aging infrastructure. Additional funding will help facilitate the hospital's much-needed renovation and furthering its vital research initiatives.

With a rich history spanning three decades, Fairchild's media empire encompasses both Fairchild TV and Fairchild Radio. Operating out of major Canadian cities, including Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, the company has cultivated a dedicated following across the nation. This annual event has become a cornerstone of their commitment to supporting SickKids.

Jennifer Lo, vice-president of Fairchild Media Group, and the general manager of Fairchild Radio Toronto, is also a beloved program host. Each year during the highly anticipated Radiothon, Lo takes the helm as the head of the radio station. With expertise honed over the years, she orchestrates every facet of this essential event—from her administrative duties to participating in volunteer work—ensuring its resounding success.

“On the day of Radiothon, the content of our regular programs were completely transformed to focus on raising funds for SickKids," said Lo, "We aimed to leverage our role in the media to promote and guide, enabling all our listeners to gain a deeper understanding of SickKids and engage in actively donating to assist more children in need."

The poster created by Fairchild for the September 28th fundraising day was displayed on the group's television channel, radio station, and social media platforms. (Courtesy of Fairchild）

After the fundraising event on September 28th, the staff and program hosts of Fairchild Radio took a group photo to commemorate the occasion. (Meena Ma/Can Culture)

This year's event, akin to those before it, was a heartwarming display of resilience and community support. It featured inspiring stories of children and their families. They highlighted how the hospital, with unwavering support from generous community donors, made a positive impact on their lives.

SickKids has been at the forefront of pediatric healthcare since its inception in 1875. Over the decades, the institute has achieved numerous milestones, from pioneering milk pasteurization to groundbreaking surgical techniques and is known and respected around the world for its patient care.

The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto is seen in this undated file photo. (Courtesy of SickKids)

According to SickKids’ 2022 annual report, the hospital has an average of 269.5 daily occupied beds and admitted 15,532 inpatients. On the outpatient side, it excels with 71,232 emergency visits, 219,249 clinic visits, and a total of 290,481 ambulatory visits.

For every family and child grappling with illness, SickKids serves as a beacon of hope. The hospital's healthcare professionals have long been at the forefront of ensuring children's well-being. However, the 70-year-old facility faces certain limitations.

Gloria Chan, a representative from the SickKids Foundation, has dedicated 22 years of service to SickKids. She oversees the recruitment, training, and management of call center volunteers responsible for receiving phone donations. Chan spoke on the need to expand and modernize SickKids facilities.

"Some of our buildings do not meet modern standards,” said Chan. “There isn't enough space to accommodate the required medical equipment. That’s why we are undergoing a campus transformation, and building a new SickKids.”

In a significant development, SickKids has embarked on Project Horizon, a comprehensive campus redevelopment project that encompasses over three million square feet of new construction. The vision behind this endeavor is to create an inspiring hospital of the future; one that not only facilitates the best work of the medical staff but also empowers patients and their families to actively participate in their healthcare journey.

The new Patient Support Centre (PSC) completed construction and held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 28, 2023. It is the first major step of Project Horizon, a multi-year campus transformation. This 22-storey PSC is poised to accommodate the relocation of approximately 3,000 staff members to the facility.

"We are delighted to embark on this essential initial phase of our campus redevelopment project,” said Chan. “However, it's important to note that our campus redevelopment will take about approximately 15 years. We will require ongoing support throughout this journey.

Prior to the pandemic, the entire Fairchild staff would visit SickKids and conduct the Radiothon in the hospital atrium. Consequently, Chan is well-acquainted with the annual activities of the Fairchild Radiothon.

Volunteers who answer phone calls for donations during the SickKids Fairchild Fundraising Day at SickKids on September 28. (Courtesy of SickKids)

Chan described Fairchild's long-term dedication to fundraising for SickKids as truly inspiring and said it makes a meaningful difference in the lives of its patients.

"I'm very impressed with all the staff from Fairchild," said Chan. “Their creative approach to crafting engaging programs and their enthusiasm and passion shine through as they work tirelessly each year, which is evident from the tremendous support they receive from the listeners."

The staff and program hosts at Fairchild RadioToronto took a group photo at the SickKids Fairchild Fundraising Day, with most of them hosting programs from morning to the early afternoon. (Courtesy of Fairchild)

River Lee, the program director of Fairchild Radio Toronto, has been with the company since 1995 and hosts a very popular weekday morning show “Good Morning Sunshine”. She expressed gratitude to the support of her and the station’s audience.

"What has touched us the most is that many of our listeners are ordinary people who can only donate $50 or $100 to support," said Lee. "But we raise hundreds of thousands of dollars every year, so you can imagine how many people are tuning into our Radiothon."

River Lee (second from the right), the program director at Fairchild Radio Toronto, with her program co hosts of the morning show. From left to right, Albert Cheung, River Lee, Edwin Lok, Laurence Leung at the Radiothon on Sept. 28. (Courtesy of Fairchild)

Chan mentioned that this year’s Radiothon saw volunteers receiving 800 calls alongside numerous online donations and on-site contributions. The substantial and dedicated listener base for Fairchild Radio is reflected in these numbers and emphasizes the station's position in the hearts of its listeners among the Chinese community.

Each year, the station meticulously plans its programs with great creativity. They intend to appeal to their audience through the novelty of their work; a seemingly successful effort shown by the traction they gain during their yearly Radiothons.

"Every year, one of our Radiothon activities was that our program hosts participate in singing during the Radiothon," said Lee. "In addition to that, we also arranged for a pianist to accompany several program hosts for live performances this year."

Amy Woo (on the left), a program host of Fairchild Radio, was accompanied by pianist, Jim Ling, singing live at the Radiothon on Sept. 28. (Courtesy of Fairchild)

Lee added that the listeners love tuning into the singing segment as they have grown familiar with the program hosts that have worked at Fairchild Radio for many years.

As the chief planner of the Radiothon, Lee’s day begins at approximately 5:30 a.m., to complete the preparations for her son's school in the morning before getting ready with the necessary materials for her own program starting from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.. Following her show, she liaises with each program and discusses the best approach for conducting them with the program hosts.

She worked with each program host and brainstormed ways to engage more listeners during the prime time slot and strategies to encourage increased donations. During each Radiothon, her day extends until roughly 8 p.m. after the Radiothon wraps up.

"I always feel exhausted after the Radiothon, but it's very worthwhile,” said Lee. “I'm also a mother and I can empathize with the challenges and pains that families with sick children go through. That's why I put in extra effort every year for this SickKids fundraiser."

Lee added that her deep passion and enthusiasm for her work has been her greatest driving force. Most importantly, she hopes to showcase the Chinese community's collective efforts for the great cause of children's health.

Dorothy Chen, Fairchild Radio Toronto’s assistant program director, also worked tirelessly at the Radiothon. Chen's radio journey began in the bustling city of Hong Kong, where she established herself as a veteran DJ with a penchant for hosting popular radio programs.

Chen has worn multiple hats during her remarkable career, from the exhilarating role of a program host to a valued member of the management team. In 2011, Chen brought her wealth of experience and passion to Fairchild Radio, a move that further solidified her role as a seasoned veteran in the media landscape in Canada.

At the Radiothon each year, Chen plays a crucial role as a point of contact and a producer, one of her jobs is arranging many moving interviews with the sick kids and their parents—an indispensable component of the Radiothon's heartfelt mission.

Jeffery Cheung (second from the left), the founder of the Toronto Chinese Calligraphy Centre, created a Chinese calligraphy piece as a donation to the Radiothon to express his support. From left to right: Dorothy Chen, Jeffery Cheung, River Lee, Michelle Tang. (Courtesy of Fairchild)

When the program host asked Ho what he wanted to say to healthcare workers at SickKids, he answered with "I love you all so much, you guys are just the best."

Dorothy Wong, a 16-year-old patient, has been suffering from congenital heart disease since birth and appealed to the audience during the Radiothon through the phone interview.

“Please donate to SickKids, if not then, I won't be here,” said Wong.“I’m so thankful that they did surgery on me when I was six-months-old.”

These heartfelt sentiments from young patients highlighted the impact of the annual Radiothon, where stories similar to the ones of Ho and Wong come to life. During the 11-hour event, the Radiothon shared many stories that deeply touched listener's hearts and contributed to the program’s success.

“We host four major fundraising events every year,” said Chung Ming Poon, a program host of Fairchild Radio Toronto. “The SickKids fundraising always performs the best. This is because people understand how adorable children are, and everyone wants to help sick kids recover and go back to normal life.”

Prior to joining Fairchild Radio in 2001, Poon worked for the largest television station in Hong Kong, Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), for 13 years. As a famous program host with a substantial fan base, Poon would reach out to his friends, sponsors and listeners for support leading up to the event day, hoping to raise more funds.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the current high interest rates caused some people to not continue donating due to financial difficulties.

“A few days ago, one of my friends called me,” recounted Poon, "‘I'm sorry, but I can't help you this year because my house mortgage has increased by $2,000.’"

Poon reassured his friend not to worry, as he understood that economic conditions have been challenging for many in recent years. However, he remained committed to reaching out to potential donors and hoped to secure more funds.

His hard work paid off. Even before his show started on Sept. 28, sponsors of his program had already donated $20,000 to SickKids.

Chung Ming Poon (left) and his partner, Ken Chau, hosting their afternoon program called "WindWind" during the Radiothon. (Meena Ma/Can Culture)

To make his Radiothon program more appealing, Poon arranged a small-scale charity singing competition amongst Fairchild employees.

The six candidates who participated in the charity singing competition at the Radiothon on Sept. 28. From top left to the right: Albert Cheung, Eric Chau, Ken Chau, Edwin Lok, Solomon Huang, Laurence Leung. (Courtesy of Fairchild)

To ensure fairness, they all performed the same Chinese pop song, “Forever and Ever.” Poon invited the song’s original singer, Dominic Chow, to join as a judge. Chow’s status as a highly accomplished Hong Kong singer helped the segment gain immense popularity. In the final hours of the show, it contributed significantly to the day's fundraising efforts.

"Every year, our staff go all out for this fundraising event," said Lo. "We do hope to receive as many donations as possible, but, most importantly, we want to convey the concept of fundraising to our listeners, and raise awareness among listeners about the urgent needs of these children.”

Lo stressed that this is part of Fairchild's responsibility as a media outlet, so that the community can contribute and help more patients and their families through the Radiothon.

According to Fairchild, the Radiothon raised $367, 500 for this year. Lo shared that since 2003, they have raised $5.5 million for SickKids in total. They have also raised funds for other organizations such as Western General Hospital, World Vision Canada and more. In total, they raised over $12 million for all places combined.

Michael Shiu, a former journalist at Fairchild and currently Richmond Hill’s Ward 6 councilor, is a dedicated supporter of Fairchild's fundraising endeavors. He firmly believes that Fairchild plays a pivotal role in spreading awareness, given its status as a well-established Chinese media outlet.

"In this scenario, Fairchild serves as a bridge, connecting the media, the community, and the hospital," said Shiu. "By utilizing our familiar language, we effectively communicate a message to the public, urging them to donate and provide support for sick children. This approach is both impactful and meaningful."

Shiu emphasized the funding from the government of Ontario is only for building hospitals but hospitals need fundraising for facilities, underscoring the importance of contributions to support the hospital. He passionately encourages everyone to contribute to this noble cause.

A new report issued by Ontario's Financial Accountability Officer (FAO) paints a worrisome picture for the province's healthcare system. Over the next six years, Ontario is expected to face staffing, capacity and funding shortages, raising concerns about the potential strain on hospitals.

The FAO's analysis of the Ford government's healthcare promises reveals a significant funding gap. Unless corrective measures are taken, Ontario will fall short by a staggering $21.3 billion in funding for hospitals, home care, and long-term care by 2028.

Despite efforts to recruit and train healthcare professionals, Ontario will require an additional 33,000 staff members over the next six years to meet the growing demand for care.

The crux of the issue here is the province's insufficient funding allocation for healthcare. It falls short of meeting the growing demand for medical services, posing a significant challenge to Ontario's healthcare system.

Reflecting on the SickKids Fairchild Fundraising Day reinforced the importance of addressing this funding gap. The event's conclusion resonated with a powerful message of unity and generosity. It underscored the unwavering commitment of Fairchild and its supporters to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children in need.