This year's telethon for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario met its ambitious fundraising goal, making it safe to say CHEO was far from short-changed.
For 24 hours volunteers took donations and shared stories about why they felt compelled to give their time and money.
Some of the most tear-jerking moments came when patients and parents were given the spotlight.
"CHEO is full of angels," said one single-mom who credits hospital staff for helping her get through some of the toughest times while watching her daughter battle violent seizures.
The goal was to beat last year's record-setting $6.1 million. At 7 o'clock Sunday night it was announced that goal was met; $6,258,971 was raised.
The hospital's president and CEO Michel Bilodeau says the money will go to research and purchasing some of the best medical equipment available. During the telethon, he pointed out neither of those things are funded by the government.
The 27th annual telethon is one of the longest running in North America. It has now raised more than $65 million for CHEO since its first year in 1984.
CHEO attracts some of the top medical talent from around the world and helps save the lives of children all over the region.
This year's fundraising total set a new record.
