Car-Mel Country rubbed elbows March 3 with such artists as Victoria Banks, Beverley Mahood, Bob McGrath Andrea Menard, Donny Parenteau and Jeffery Straker at the 37th annual Telemiracle, along with a veteran of the Telemiracle stage, Brad Johner. Brad brought with him more talent as his boys joined him. The boys have started their own brand of music. Brad laughs; he used to have them sing a song early in the show but after a few standing ovations he realized he'd have to put them on at the end or else no one would want to hear him sing.
The Arrogant Worms perform as a comedy troupe. Their shows are fast, furious and family-friendly. The wit is quick, the satire is biting and the musicianship is second to none. Prism was there. Prism has produced several albums, each with multiple hits including songs like Spaceship Superstar, Armageddon and Night to Remember. The Sadies brought their signature blend of country and psychedelic rock to Telemiracle. They recently played in Saskatoon and opened for Neil Young. The Stellas, who received the 2012 Canadian Country Music Award CMT Video of the Year for In the House, were there.
We were happy to present moneys raised from our two fundraisers and other money received from Maymont Central School. With contributions from various others who didn't make our events but contributed to the cause, we were able to raise over $6,400.
Thank you, everyone, for all your donations not only in money but everything else that you did to help us reach this amount.
Thanks to your donations, the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation has the opportunity to improve the quality of life and the independence of hundreds of people every year. Saskatchewan residents are able to access special needs equipment and medical assistance that wouldn't otherwise be attainable. Innovations like ceiling track systems, portable lifts and ramps are making it possible for people to live at home and still receive the care they need. And with equipment like specialized wheelchairs, electric scooters, vehicle conversions and communications devices, people are achieving a level of independence they didn't think possible.
When people can't access the level of care they need at home, they must often travel to health care facilities in other parts of the province or country. While the medical procedures may be covered by health care, the patients and their families must pay for their own travel, meals and accommodations. By easing the financial strain, the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation allows families to focus on what only they can provide - love and care.
Across our province, loving care homes have been established with a family atmosphere to provide comfort and care to people with special needs. Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation provides funding for things like ceiling track systems, specialized tubs, lifts, specialty beds and personal care equipment to make those homes even better suited to provide quality care.
Every year, specialized medical equipment that is not fully funded by government is purchased in different communities to ensure healthcare facilities have everything they need. This year Kinsmen Foundation grants included: $66,000 to Lloydminster Region Health Facility for a portable ultrasound; $1,250,000 to Regina General Hospital towards an electrophysiology lab to serve people with heart issues; $115,000 to purchase infant hearing screening equipment at Royal University Hospital; $140,000 to Preeceville Integrated Health for various pieces of equipment; $150,000 to Moose Jaw Hospital to develop an equipped isolation room; $161,000 to Â鶹´«Ã½AV Saskatchewan Stroke Care Network to rehabilitate stroke victims; and $500,000 to St. Paul's Hospital for cystoscopy equipment at the new urology centre.
Combined with previous years' contributions to Estevan, Yorkton, Lloydminster, Swift Current, Saskatoon and other communities, you can see that Telemiracle dollars reach out to every corner of the province.
In the past year, 579 applications for funding were granted for amounts ranging from $125 to $1,250,000. That's more than one grant for each and every day of the year, and every dollar comes directly from donations to Kinsmen Telemiracle. Your donations do make a difference - you really are "helping people every day."
Here are just a few recipient stories:
Alexander's miracle - a chance at life! By his first birthday, Alexander was almost walking. In a sense, it should have come as no surprise. Alexander had already proven he's a boy who takes giant steps. When Alexander was born, the left side of his heart was underdeveloped. He had open-heart surgery when he was less than two weeks old. After five weeks in three different hospitals in three different cities, he was ready to go home for the very first time. A second surgery in Edmonton, requiring two more weeks of hospitalization, came quickly just three months later. Alexander's parents have been with him every step of the way. And so has the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation, with funding for travel, meals and accommodation.
Ten toes, ten fingers and a Telemiracle. Feb. 1, 2010, as Kendall's parents counted their new daughter's fingers and toes, a nurse was doing a more thorough exam. She mentioned she thought she heard a murmur in Kendall's heart. While heart murmurs are not uncommon and often seem to fix themselves, such was not the case with Kendall. She needed surgery at a hospital in Edmonton. Kendall's parents would have taken her to the ends of the earth for that surgery, but even Edmonton created a financial burden for the family. The Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation was there to help them with funding for meals, travel and accommodations. Now Kendall is back home making up for lost time by chasing after her big sister.
Edith - on the road again. Edith used to tell people she was doing fine. She had a walker that helped her stroll to the mall and shop for groceries. She had a pass for access transit to get to doctor appointments. She was getting by just fine. She'd mention, though, that on each trip to the mall, she had to sit down on her walker at least three times to catch her breath. She blamed it on her congestive heart failure. But, she said, other than that she was doing fine. Edith's health problems finally caught up with her last year and she applied to the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation for a scooter. It wasn't long before Edith was riding to the mall. In fact, it took no time at all for Edith to realize she has a whole neighbourhood to explore.
If you made a pledge, remember to send in your donations.
