When C95 hosts Shauna Foster and Rob Suski heard about Austman’s love for the “Drop It Like It’s Hot” rapper through her niece, Stephanie, they decided to work with local partners and send Austman to the concert in style.

“Tickets to the show, limousine with red carpet service, and a custom T-shirt and mobility aide… we’ve really had amazing partners come on board to make tonight really special,” Foster explained.

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“We’ve loved getting to know Phyllis, AKA ‘Great Aunt Phyzzle,’ and her love for Snoop and Mustangs. We can’t wait to meet her in person. She’s really grabbed at our hearts and inspired us to live life,” said Foster.

Austman said she’s a big fan of the 52-year-old rapper, who’s known for his smooth delivery and affinity for cannabis.

“I just love him,” Austman told the C95 hosts. “He just seems such a nice fellow; sort of laid back… and just a friendly person.”

Snoop Dogg’s ‘Cali to Canada Tour’ also includes opening acts Mercules, Warren G and DJ Quik. The show starts at 7 p.m., with Snoop Dogg expected to hit the stage just before 9 p.m.

C95 is the sister station to 650 CKOM.

Last October, the station raised a record $425,937 during the annual 12-hour radiothon.

The annual radiothon started in the year 2000 when C95 morning show host Lisa Rendall received a breast cancer diagnosis. Fundraising efforts that first year resulted in over $100,000 for breast cancer research. In the years since, the Rawlco Radio campaign has brought in more than $6.3 million, with 100 per cent of the proceeds staying in Saskatchewan.

“Each year, our staff put in hundreds of hours to ensure this event is a success. It truly is a team effort with incredible benefits to our community,” said Rawlco Radio executive vice-president Kristy Werner.

Nora Yeats, Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan CEO, credits the radio marathon for improved treatments and progress associated with breast cancer research in the province.

“We would not be where we are today without community-focused businesses such as yours,” she wrote.

“Because of research, the five-year net survival rate for women diagnosed with breast cancer is now at 89 percent and, if caught early, is almost 100 percent,” Yeats said.

The Community Service Award highlights impactful contributions made by radio and television broadcasters in markets with populations over 150,000 in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba. This is Rawlco Radio’s fifth time receiving this award.

C95 is one of three Rawlco Radio stations in Saskatoon.

After broadcasting non-stop from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., the 2022 marathon raised a total of $396,555 for breast cancer research and treatment in Saskatchewan.

The marathon was launched in October of 2000, when C95 morning show host Lisa Rendall was diagnosed with breast cancer, and over more than 20 years, the marathon has grown. Throughout the years, more than $5.3 million has been raised through the marathon.

Aaron Scherr, who is going through treatment for breast cancer, shared her story during the marathon:

“I’ll never forget that day I went in for the ultrasound… at this point I’m 20 weeks pregnant,” Scherr said.

“Just the day before, we’d had our 20-week scan where we found out we were having a boy, and everything is great. Again, riding a high, and then the next day we’re getting this terrifying news. My son is nine months old today. I just keep thinking I was put in this situation while I was pregnant for him. I look at him every day and think ‘I’m doing this for you.’”

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer, with an estimated 760 women in Saskatchewan being diagnosed in 2022. About 170 people lose their lives to breast cancer in the province every year.

All of the funds raised in 2022 will be donated to the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan, with every cent staying in the province.

The funds donated to the Cancer Foundation will go to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, where the donations will support research, patient treatment and care, and early detection and prevention programs.

C95 and 650 CKOM were part of the radiothon on Thursday, and late in the afternoon, it was announced that $641,157 was raised this year.

Donations from this year’s event will be used to help open the very first pediatric Hemodialysis Unit for kids as part of the Children’s Kidney Health Program.

More than $13.94 million has been raised for Saskatchewan children and mothers in hospital since the very first radiothon 19 years ago.

The 29-year-old woman couldn’t get out to do that, though. She’s suffering from cancer and has chemotherapy sessions twice a week.

Going out to buy groceries could compromise her immune system, especially now with new COVID-19 cases being reported every day in the province.

On Thursday, she contacted CKOM’s sister station C-95 to ask morning show hosts Shauna Foster and Rob Suski whether someone could help her out.

“We were doing some shout-outs, getting some positive vibes going,” Suski recalled.”And Brittany called in and said that she was unable to leave the house.”

Nelson said Suski called her back right away and volunteered to do it.

“He’s like, ‘For sure, we’ll find someone to get your groceries to you,’ and he even mentioned, ‘If it’s me after work, I’d love to do that for you.’ He asked me to send a message with my cell phone number … and a list,” Nelson said.

Suski went to Independent Grocers on 51st Street in Saskatoon, where he met Michael, who offered his help as well.

“Small businesses are the ones coming through right now. Guys like Michael. All the credit to him,” Suski said.

Nelson’s list included items like bananas, eggs, and salad — essentials, she says. There was no charge for any of the groceries, but there was a request from Michael for anything else that she might need.

“So I asked Brittany if there was anything else she needed,” explained Suski. “She said, ‘I feel terrible asking if there are a couple of little extras like some frozen yogurt’ – for her little boy. He just wanted to have some frozen yogurt with some chocolate sauce on it.”

Nelson said some Epsom salts and bubble baths were also included so she could relax after a rough few weeks.

“I was prepared to pay for everything, so Michael was unbelievably gracious (and) very, very sweet,” she said. “I’m still in shock, to be honest.”

She added that she will try to pay forward the kindness shown to her in the future. For now, she is focusing on her road to recovery and is thankful for the community support.

Rishali Kambare and his family of seven arrived in Saskatoon this August. They fled Congo ten years ago and lived in a Ugandan refugee camp until their move to Canada.

Kambare’s four children attend St. Phillip School, where they met teacher Randeen Durette – who decided to nominate the family for the C95 Christmas Wish.

“This family still lives with the bare minimum. They will not have a Christmas with gifts and special food unless it’s donated to them,” Durette wrote in her nomination letter.

The family was chosen from more than 400 submissions and the C95 team got to work with a large group of sponsors to make the wish come true.

On Wednesday, C95 hosts Rob Suski, Shauna Foster, Tim Stone and Allie Ramsay – along with a crew of helpers – went to deliver the good news at the family’s home.

Before anyone could knock on the door, Kambare greeted the team wearing a suit and a big smile.

The family gathered in their living room and watched as strangers filed it with wrapped gifts and bags full of groceries.

With the help of an interpreter, C95 presented the family with their Christmas Wish – which included bill payments, decorations and an iPad for the children’s education.

Kambare needed no help expressing his gratitude – singing with an unending chorus of thanks.

But it wasn’t until the biggest reveal – a brand new car generously donated by Precision Autobody – that the wish became more than just a gesture.

“Here’s something in this box that might make your life a little easier,” Joe Giocoli said while handing the wrapped car keys to Kambare.

It was only one week earlier that the father had passed his Canadian driver’s licence test.

Once the reality sunk in, Kambare’s smile widened and he held up the key for everyone to see.

“Thank you very much, thank you so very much,” he repeated, as his children trailed down the walk with him to see the family’s new wheels.

Kambare’s wife was so overcome with emotion, she kneeled on the sidewalk by the car with her hands in the air. The family credits their faith for all they have, and expressed that through song and prayer in the home following the big reveal.

“This is a miracle for me and my family,” Kambare said through an interpreter.

The family invited C95 into their home after the Christmas Wish to pass around hugs and extend blessings to everyone involved– especially their nominator, Durette.

“It was very heart-warming to see them receive that beautiful gift – it was so amazing,” Durette said.

“I’ve been teaching for 19 years. I’m sure this will never happen again in my career, and this has made my Christmas.”

This year’s C95 Christmas Wish was made possible with help from Precision Autobody, the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon, Al Hattie Insurance Saskatoon, Your Independent Grocer and many other generous sponsors. 

The Saskatoon woman with Down syndrome got to live her dream Thursday night at SaskTel Centre when she was taken backstage for an exclusive meet and greet with the pop star.

Angelica’s dream was made a reality thanks to C95. Due to a low income, Angelica had been unable to purchase her own tickets to the show.

Angelica’s situation struck a cord with the station.They not only gave her a pair of tickets to the show, but they also arranged for the backstage meeting.

“Seeing Angelica’s reaction when she received the news brought joy to all of our faces. It’s in moments like this, you can’t help but smile knowing you made a big difference in someone’s life,” said C95’s program director Shyla Williams.

Her home was filled with gifts, food, decorations and a brand new car in the driveway.

“I’m just trying to take all this in,” Bruneau said following a tour of her home. “It just makes me feel grateful that people care.”
 
The single mother of two sons Tyler, 8, and Trey, 4, worked hard to get her Grade 12 diploma. She had just begun a Youth Care Worker diploma program when Trey was diagnosed with leukemia.

Since then, the family has been taking taxis or catching rides to the hospital to pick up Trey’s medication. The first car Bruneau bought turned out to be a lemon, but the team surprised her with a brand new one.
 
The trio arrived home to find a whole team of Santa-hat clad volunteers and friends waiting for them outside with smiles and applause. Bruneau was nominated by her relative, Sheila Pocha, and a friend she made at the Royal University Hospital whose child was also receiving treatment. Pocha said it was Bruneau’s determined spirit that led her to nominate her.
 
“I was thinking this would be a really good wish for her if she could just receive this it would be unbelievable,” Pocha said. “I was overwhelmed. I had tears in my eyes.”