Skip to main content

Annual IWK TELETHON FOR CHILDREN returns to CTV Atlantic and iHeartRadio Canada, Beginning May 29

Image for the Annual IWK TELETHON FOR CHILDREN returns to CTV Atlantic and iHeartRadio Canada, Beginning May 29 press release
CTV News
– CTV Atlantic’s Todd Battis, Maria Panopalis, Katie Kelly, and Steve Murphy lead the 41st IWK TELETHON FOR CHILDREN on Sunday, June 1 –
– The annual Telethon Tribute show, starring Heather Rankin and Dee Dee Austin, returns Saturday, May 31 –
– Donations can be made by phone at 1-800-595-2266 or online at iwkfoundation.org –

HALIFAX (May 27, 2025) – This week, an annual Maritime tradition returns in support of the IWK Health Centre, the region’s largest children’s hospital. Beginning Thursday, May 29, iHeartRadio Canada brings Maritimers the two-day IWK RADIOTHON. The four-day fundraising drive culminates with the IWK TELETHON FOR CHILDREN, Sunday, June 1 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. AT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app. Beginning Thursday, five iHeartRadio Canada stations in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia share inspiring stories from IWK patients and their families. Starting at 7:30 a.m., listeners can tune in and make donations on the phone or online at any of the participating radio stations’ websites. The celebrations continue Saturday, May 31 with the two-and-a half hour musical special A TELETHON TRIBUTE, airing at 7 p.m. AT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app. The broadcast includes Maritime performers Heather Rankin, JRDN, Dee Dee Austin, Cassie and Maggie, Irish Mythen, as well as Rankin MacInnis and the Broken Reeds. Then, CTV Atlantic brings Maritimers the beloved IWK TELETHON FOR CHILDREN broadcast on Sunday, June 1, from 10 a.m.6 p.m. AT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app. The telethon features stories of patients and families who have received specialized care at the IWK as well as donors from around the region, including those who have generously given for the past four decades. As the IWK’s largest annual fundraiser, the IWK TELETHON FOR CHILDREN supports the organization’s most urgent priority needs, including up-to-date equipment, advanced technology, research, and improved facilities. “For the past 41 years, the IWK TELETHON FOR CHILDREN has brought Maritimers together to support generations of children, youth, and families who rely on the IWK,” said Jennifer Gillivan, President & CEO, IWK Foundation. “While we are in economically uncertain times, our children need us more than ever so the IWK continues to be an exceptional place for patient families across the Maritimes to receive highly specialized care, treatment and support.” “This event is a significant undertaking for both CTV and the IWK Foundation who have collaborated for decades to bring this annual event to life,” said Trent McGrath, General Manager, CTV Atlantic. “Long before Telethon week, the production team works tirelessly behind the scenes to produce the best show possible and shine a spotlight on the incredible work being done at the IWK.” Many familiar faces from CTV Atlantic appear on the 2025 IWK TELETHON FOR CHILDREN, including CTV NEWS AT SIX Chief Anchor Todd Battis; CTV NEWS AT FIVE host Maria Panopalis; entertainment reporter Katie Kelly; CTV NATIONAL NEWS Nova Scotia correspondent Paul Hollingsworth; Chief Meteorologist Kalin Mitchell, and CTV MORNING LIVE’s Amanda Debison, Lataevia Beezer, and Crystal Garrett. Longtime Telethon host and CTV Atlantic special correspondent Steve Murphy returns, along with 41-year Telethon veteran Bill Carr. This year’s Telethon broadcast also welcomes Halifax’s MOVE Radio morning show host Peter Harrison along with special appearances by several radio hosts broadcasting live from Sunday’s show. Donations can be made by phone at 1-800-595-2266 or online at iwkfoundation.org. Coverage is also available for listeners across Canada via audio live stream on iHeart.com and the iHeartRadio Canada app.

Social Media

  • @CTVAtlantic
  • @CTVNews
  • @CTV_PR
  • CTV News Atlantic

About the IWK Foundation

The IWK Foundation is a champion of excellence in women’s and children’s health and medicine and works in partnership with IWK Health to support their vision of providing quality care to women, children, youth and families in the Maritime Provinces and beyond. Our donors are passionately committed to making a difference for Maritime families, contributing over $25.2 million in support of the most urgent care priorities at the IWK last year. Funds raised also support the IWK’s global leadership in research and knowledge sharing, which in turn improves lives worldwide.

In 2024, the IWK Foundation joined Women’s Health Collective Canada (WHCC), working alongside leading women’s health hospitals and research centres from across Canada to fund women’s health and research.

Visit www.iwkfoundation.org for more information.


About CTV News

CTV News is Canada’s most-watched news organization both locally and nationally, and has a network of national, international, and local news operations. CTV News operations include CTV NEWS CHANNEL, BNN Bloomberg, CP24, and information programming, including CTV NATIONAL NEWS, POWER PLAY, and QUESTION PERIOD. Flagship news sites include CTVNews.ca, as well as CP24.com and BNNBloomberg.ca, and are complemented by the CTV NewsCP24, and BNN Bloomberg apps, which provide a direct connection to Canada’s most trusted news anytime and anywhere. With a perspective that is distinctly Canadian, CTV News brings Canadians the international and domestic news stories of the day and is the #1 news organization in Canada.

Contact

Liz Rigney

Sofia Rodriguez

TSNCTV NewsCTV News ChannelCP24BNN BloombergiHeartRadio

Bell Let’s Talk

Communications Officer, News, Radio, & Sports

CTV News

Stefan Keyes Announced as Anchor of CTV News Ottawa’s CTV NEWS AT FIVE and CTV NEWS AT 11:30

CTV News

Will Aiello Joins CTV Morning Live Ottawa as New Co-Anchor

Get the latest announcements from Bell Media

Subscribe to our media lists to receive official press releases and alerts from Bell Media PR.