On June 3, 2021, the Radio Television Digital News Association Canada recognized Underknown’s LIVEMEDAID fundraiser for Doctors Without Borders and frontline healthcare workers in the News Live Special Events category.
The RTDNA Canada Awards honor the best in radio, television and digital media across the country.
The six-hour-long livestreamed global broadcast, which aired May 9, 2020, featured a diverse list of guests from the scientific community and beyond, including Jane Goodall, David Suzuki, Wade Davis, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Sarah Ives, Dr. Katherine Kayhoe, Dr. James Maskalyk, Dr. Isaac Bogach, Peter Gabriel, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, Dr. Calvin D. Sun, Matteo Liguori, Dr. Shimi Kang, Danny Harris, Dr. Allison McGeer, Sir Tim Smit, Avril Benoît, Michael Lansberg, Catherine McKenna, Derya Akkaynak, Dr. M Sanjayan, Dr. Paula Botempi, Paul Hilton, Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri, Rhiannon Rosalind and Ziya Tong.
The audience of nearly one million viewers was also treated to performances from a diverse array of musical artists, including Metric, Ed Robertson and the Barenaked Ladies (with special guest Chris Hadfield), Earth, Wind & Fire, Shad Kabango, Choir, Choir, Choir, Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Byron Kent Wong, Kings Daughters, Paul Anthony, Patrick Watson, Alex Cuba, Salt Cathedral, Jesse Cook, Bombino, Kiana Valenciano and Satica.
Underknown’s Peter Schmiedchen was joined by hosts Richard Garner and Teddy Wilson, along with guest hosts Lee Constable, Shaun Majumder, Dayvee Sutton, Chuck Nice, Aliya Jasmine and Matthew Shribman.
“More than 150 people, from everywhere in the world, brought hope, showed resilience and lifted the human spirit through interviews, international stories, musical guests, journalists and giants of science,” said Underknown CEO and event organizer, Steve Hulford.
LIVEMEDAID raised $50,000 for Doctors Without Borders. Online donations can still be made on the LIVEMEDAID website to help continue the ongoing healthcare relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
