By Glenn Hicks

Million dollar babies: Give A Little Life Day smashes record as community goes big for baby cause

Dec 7, 2018 | 6:19 PM

The 13th annual Give A Little Life Day Radiothon for the Victoria Hospital Foundation’s campaign for a new, improved neonatal unit surged into record-breaking territory Friday.

When all was said and done, a trail-blazing $1,003,296.25 had been raised in pledges and in-person donations as the on-air personalities of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group set up shop at the entrance to the hospital. That makes it the largest-ever Give A Little Life Day and makes a huge step towards the project’s ultimate goals. Organizers said additional funds were still likely to come into the coffers even after the 6 p.m. close. The effort surpasses the $546,000 raised back in 2007.

After a constant flow of donations throughout the morning, the afternoon and early evening saw two extraordinary donations that pushed the fundraiser into all-time new territory when $220,000 was gifted from the estate of Norbert Nordman. Nordman  spent more than 1,300 hours volunteering at the hospital, comforting the babies in the nursery every Wednesday, before his passing.

Sherry Buckler with the Victoria Hospital Foundation said Mr. Nordman’s contribution was extraordinary.

“Not only did he give of his time while he was alive, but even after we’ve lost him his gift will continue to comfort these babies,” she said. ” We will make it a priority to memorialize him in our new neonatal unit so every family, mother, and father who comes through will know his story.”

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Then, just before the clock struck 6 p.m. on a historic day of generosity, news came in of a $265,000 anonymous donation. That propelled the day’s efforts into six-figure territory.

These generous donations were among many all day long that saw members of the community, young and old, companies and groups, turn up at the hospital to present their cheques. Many others donated online or on the Radiothon phone line.

“I’ve never seen an outpouring from the community like we’ve seen this year for a project that is so crucially needed,” Director of Programming with Power 99 FM, Garth Kalin told paNOW. He has produced all thirteen Give A Little Life Days on the radio. “There’s nothing more precious to people than their children. This is where babies who need extra special attention need to go. We must have this.”  

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow