Another exciting Radiothon has come to a close and in its 22nd year, the GTA community and listeners of Astral Media radio Toronto opened up their hearts in support of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in record numbers. As SickKids patients revealed the final tally at 6 p.m. this evening, more than $4 million had been raised for the hospital with further donations from the SickKids Change Crusaders still to come.

"This has been an unpredictable three days," said Michael O'Mahoney, President of SickKids Foundation. "It is always emotional anytime you share so many courageous stories but this year I was particularly touched to see the magnitude of support from all three Astral stations and particularly the community who continue to demonstrate their belief in SickKids. Bottom line, SickKids is the best children's hospital in the world because of the support of our community."

In recognition of the community's support of Radiothon and that of Gary Slaight and the Slaight family over the years, SickKids made a special announcement today, renaming the Atrium at SickKids the Slaight Family Atrium.

"Gary Slaight and the Slaight family have been integral partners to SickKids and SickKids Foundation for more than three decades," O'Mahoney added. "Gary's vision and insight for a SickKids Radiothon has inspired 22 years of courageous storytelling, touching the lives of millions of Torontonians and raising more that $25 million over those 22 years for some of the most critical needs at the hospital."

A new element to this year's broadcast was the Change Crusader program that saw more than 250 budding young philanthropists collect $80,000 through online donations alone. Change Crusaders turned out in droves throughout the three-day event to drop off wagons full of coins they had collected for the past six weeks through this new grass-roots campaign. The additional change dropped off at SickKids and Cadillac Fairview locations across the GTA will be added to the Radiothon total in the coming weeks.

"Picture small children who have just gone through the fight of their life, walking up to these radio station booths with suitcases full of change in support of the facility that has become a second home to them. It was a powerful sight," said Melissa Morris, Promotions Director for 97.3 EZ Rock.

It wouldn't be live radio without a few surprise visits including Premier Dalton McGuinty who met 10 year old cancer patient Madison Scott, promising her and her family a private tour of the parliament buildings since she missed her class tour while in treatment at SickKids. Provincial opposition leader, John Tory came by on Thursday afternoon as did Argos CEO and former coach Mike 'Pinball' Clemons whose visit offered much-needed coaching support to Radiothon volunteers and the Toronto community listening. Mayor David Miller capped off the three days this morning with CFRB host, Bill Carroll, where he touted Torontonians, "as the most charitable people in the world."

Once again this year, ForestersTM, a provider of life insurance products, has underwritten the costs of every Children's Miracle Network Radiothon across North America including the Annual SickKids Radiothon. As a result of their support, every single dollar raised over the past three days went directly to the hospital. For the seventh consecutive year, Foresters is the presenting sponsor of the Annual SickKids Radiothon. The money raised this year will go towards the highest priority needs at SickKids, critical to ensuring SickKids has the facilities, equipment and staff needed to conduct leading-edge research and to provide the life-saving care for which the hospital is known.

Through the combined efforts of Miracle Club members who signed up to give $18 a month, just $0.60/day, these children's wishes have a chance of coming true. People can still continue to donate by calling 1-877-584-5437 or on-line at www.sickkidsradiothon.com.