Pelican Narrows family shares story as children’s hospital radiothon gets underway

“Like we had some bad days, but a lot of very good days,” she said. “And being in the hospital like 24-7 and it was kind of exhausting, but I wouldn’t have it any other way as long as I had my son with me.”

Pryce spent seven months in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, a stay so long that staff affectionately nicknamed him a “senior resident.” He later moved to pediatric intensive care and then the pediatric unit.

He needed ventilation for three months and underwent several surgeries during his first year, including procedures for hernias, laser eye surgery and the placement of a feeding tube.

Merasty said hospital staff also helped her find a place to stay nearby, allowing her to remain close to Pryce while living about six hours from home.

“And yeah, I didn’t have to leave my son and I could stay with him,” she said. “I was so grateful for all their help.”

Now three years old, Pryce no longer needs supplemental oxygen.

“He’s not on any oxygen and he’s everywhere…a very busy little boy,” Merasty said.

This year’s radiothon will support the hospital’s point-of-care ultrasound program, which uses portable equipment to give medical teams images at a patient’s bedside.

According to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, the technology helps clinicians answer specific questions about a patient’s condition in real time, supporting faster diagnosis and treatment.

The equipment is used in departments including neonatal and pediatric intensive care and children’s emergency. Donations will also support a simulation system for hands-on training and technology to help medical professionals and transport teams collaborate on difficult cases across Saskatchewan.

The foundation reported more than 83,000 patient visits involving babies, children and expectant mothers during the year ending March 31, 2026.

Dave Baker from Saskatchewan’s 750 Beach Radio Melfort. The station is one of 37 across the province broadcasting the radiothon fundraiser Nov. 4 and 5. Beach Radio is a division of Pattison Media, which is part of the Jim Pattison Group.

Radiothon donations will be matched dollar for dollar up to a combined $400,000 through contributions from the David and Karen Holst Family Foundation and Dallas and Sandy Howe.

Presented by CIBC Wood Gundy, the event broadcasts live from the hospital from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days across 37 radio stations.

Participating stations include Prince Albert’s Power99, Beach Radio 101.5 and 900 CKBI, along with stations in North Battleford and Meadow Lake, and Melfort’s CJVR FM and 750 Beach Radio.

For Merasty, sharing her family’s story is a chance to thank the people who cared for Pryce and those supporting the hospital.

“Without them or the hospital, I wouldn’t have my son with me, so I just want to say thank you so much,” she said.

Donations can be made by calling the CPKC Sunshine Line at 1-888-808-5437 or visiting pattisonchildrens.ca.

Last year’s radiothon raised more than $1.1 million for children’s hearing health services and equipment.”

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

*This news portal is part of Pattison Media – a member of the Jim Pattison Group.

by paNOW Staff

Pelican Narrows family shares story as children’s hospital radiothon gets underway

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