Helping save more babies' lives: 29th Z99 Radiothon kicks off

The 29th annual Z99 Radiothon kicks off Thursday morning at the Cornwall Centre to raise money to help save babies’ lives.

Michelle and Chad Costley are among the hundreds of parents whose children need the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Regina every year.

“My boys decided to come out at 26 weeks, so they were quite early and we needed the NICU right away,” Michelle said. “Without the NICU and staff and all the other equipment in that NICU, I don’t know what the outcome would have been, and I’m so thankful for the outcome that we did receive.”

This year she is proud to have her sons featured on the poster for the Z99 Radiothon.

“They gave us so much that we want to do anything we can to help out,” she said.

“The majority of the equipment in there is from Radiothon money and I couldn’t imagine not having those funds.”

The twins, Logan and Jesse, spent almost five months in the NICU after they were born. She was able to move into one of the rooms provided at the hospital to watch them every day. She said that kind of access made the ordeal easier.

“Nurses and the doctors and everyone to the cleaning staff was just amazing in there and so helpful,” she said.

She said her sons are now doing great, growing at healthy rates with no medical complications to worry about.

Over the past 29 years of the Z99 Radiothon, people in and around Regina have raised more than $7.25 million for the Hospitals of Regina Foundation in support of the NICU.

Donations can be made online.