The Fort St. John Hospital Foundation is thrilled to announce that the 23rd Annual Have a Heart Radiothon in partnership with 98.5 GO FM, 890 AM The Ranch, and 101.5 The Goat has raised over $40,000 in support of advanced cardiorespiratory monitors for newborns at the FSJ Birthing Centre.
This year’s Radiothon, held live on location once again at Home Hardware in Fort St. John, was powered by the incredible generosity of our community and the unwavering support of our matching donors: PETRONAS Canada and Shell Canada Groundbirch.
PETRONAS Canada helped us hit our first major milestone, matching donations to bring our total to $21,695 early in the day. Representatives Phil Riessner and Matt Shewfelt joined us on-site, emphasizing the importance of investing in local healthcare.
“It’s crucial to our families to develop and enhance the communities we live in,” said Shewfelt. Riessner, who is expecting a new addition to his family this year, added heartfelt perspective on the importance of access to quality care at the FSJ Birthing Centre.
A special thank you goes out to Shelley and Doug Gallinger, whose last-minute donation of $5,500 helped us meet our second matching milestone. Their generosity exemplifies the spirit of giving that defines Fort St. John.
Shell Canada Groundbirch followed with a $10,000 matching donation, helping us reach our second milestone. We were honoured to welcome back Erin McLean, Shell Production Superintendent, who joined us on air to share Shell’s commitment to community health:
“As a local operator, the health and safety of our people and our community is one of Shell’s core pillars. Supporting healthcare initiatives like this one, is a natural extension of that commitment. Together, we are making a real difference for the families in Fort St. John.”
We also extend our gratitude to Tourmaline for their generous contribution and to the many individuals who stopped by, donated, and participated in the days fundraising efforts. Funds raised will go toward purchasing advanced cardiorespiratory monitors, allowing newborns to remain in birthing rooms with their parents whenever possible—enhancing care, comfort, and safety for our tiniest patients.
Megan Edwards, Clinical Practice Lead at the FSJ Birthing Centre, has been a dedicated member of the Fort St. John healthcare team for over a decade. Born and raised in FSJ, Megan brings both professional expertise and a deep personal connection to the community she serves. During the Radiothon, Megan shared her insights on why the advanced cardiorespiratory monitors are so vital for the Birthing Centre:
“Currently, our monitors are located in the nursery, which means that if a newborn needs extra support after birth, they often have to be separated from their parents. These new monitors will allow us to provide the same level of care right in the birthing rooms. That means more time for bonding, less stress for families, and better outcomes for our tiniest patients.”
Megan emphasized that in smaller northern communities like Fort St. John, access to up-to-date medical technology can be a challenge—but it’s also where it can make the biggest difference.
“This equipment will help us keep families together during those first critical hours. It’s not just about monitoring—it’s about comfort, safety, and giving every baby the best possible start.”
