“I want to thank the Tamil Community for their incredible support” – Ontario Premier Doug Ford
Funds raised through Tamil Radiothon on East FM 102.7
By Siva Sivapragasam
A memorable chapter in the history of the Tamil community in Canada was created recentlywhen the community raised $ 275,000 in one day for the Scarborough Health Network hospitals through a Radiothon programme aired through the East FM 102.7.
Funds raised will help to provide the highest priorities and urgent equipment needs at the Scarborough Hospitals and help improve health care in one of Canada’s most vibrant and diverse communities.
Hospitals run by the Scarborough Health Network are heavily patronized by the Canadian Tamil community for their health requirements and services.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Tamil community donors, volunteers, and sponsors, including presenting sponsor CTCC, a final fundraising total of over $275,000 was reached by the event’s end – surpassing the original target of $100,000.
Commenting on the fund – raising efforts of the Canadian Tamil community for the hospitals, Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated, “I want to thank the Tamil community for their incredible support”.
The large donation contributed by the Tamil community is a token of appreciation for the SHN for providing excellent health services to members of the community through the hospitals run by SHN.
Centres were set-up in different parts of Scarborough and Markham to facilitate donors to drop off their donations. Large crowds gathered at these centres throughout the day to hand over their contributions to help the SHN Hospitals to improve their health services to the public.
Several volunteers were seen helping the organizers to accept the donations the whole day. East FM 102.7 Radio service conducted an entertaining programme through their commentators to promote the funding.
Several business houses sponsored the Radiothon program conducted throughout the day. The Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce (CTCC) was the presenting Sponsor for the Radiothon programme .Sritharan Thurairajah & Logan Velumailum were the Co-Chairs for the SHNF Tamil Radiothon.
Krishni Narine, Community Development Manager, SHN Foundation thanked the donors, sponsors, speakers, and listeners who made the inaugural event a huge success and thatthe SHN Foundation was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for the Radiothon Programme.
Nada Rajkumar, Chairman of EAST FM 102.7 stated that East FM 102.7 was extremely humbled to have collaborated with SHN Foundation to run the first-ever Tamil Radiothon to raise funds for the Scarborough hospitals and thanked the Tamil community for raising $275.000 although the original target was $ 100,000.
The all-day event invited listeners to hear unique stories from SHN patients, physicians, staff, community members and volunteers who inspired the community to help shape the future of health care in Scarborough by showing their support through donations.
“We are overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of support from our donors and community. The generosity of our Tamil community for this inaugural event is truly inspiring and these donations enable Scarborough Health Network to provide the highest level of care for our patients and their families, right here in Scarborough”, stated Elizabeth Buller, President & CEO, SHN.
