The Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Radiothon presented by CIBC Wood Gundy is winding down as it finishes up at 5 p.m. today.   

They are continuously trying to raise money that will go toward lifesaving equipment and procedures at the children’s hospital that will provide the ability to help kids across the province battle diseases and illnesses.   

Listeners across the province will hear stories of children and their families who were able to access the children’s hospital thanks to the generosity of the Saskatchewan people.   

One of the avenues that the money raised in this year’s radiothon will go toward providing better access to pediatric transports like six-year-old Rustyn Paul of Swift Current. 

This past May, Rustyn was struggling to catch her breath more than usual. Her mom, Ashlyn, who is a licensed practical nurse, assumed it was asthma. They went to see their family doctor in Swift Current, who agreed that Rustyn was showing symptoms of asthma.  

Additional tests were run as well as x-rays to rule out pneumonia when it was discovered that she had a mass on her lung. 

"I swear my soul had left my body by that point. I couldn’t hear anything but ringing and I thought I was going to throw up and pass out before our nurse, who is also my co-worker and friend, caught me in her arms and we just cried until reality set in," Ashlyn said. 

The situation escalated quickly as Rustyn was airlifted to Saskatchewan's only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital in Saskatoon. Her medical team worked quickly to treat the large tumour that was compressing her lungs as there was a chance the tumour could break and block her airway. 

Rustyn was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and began treatment immediately. 

Rustyn has shown bravery and positivity as she continues to undergo chemotherapy and treatment at the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital over the next couple of years. Ashlyn said she's grateful for the care Rustyn has received. 

"Everyone is always in high spirits. They’re informative and respectful. They make you feel like you’re in safe hands all the time, no matter what. I can’t say enough good things about our team and everyone who has been involved in Rustyn’s care," Ashlyn said. 

To donate to help children like Rustyn, call the CPKC Sunshine Line at 1-888-808-KIDS (5437) until 5 p.m. tonight, or online at pattisonchildrens.ca. 

Since the very first Radiothon, 21 years ago, over $15.26 million has been raised for Saskatchewan moms and kids in the hospital.