Medical Air Flights Key in Canadian Healthcare

CALGARY – HEALTH – In rural and remote Canadian places, medical evacuation is a key component of healthcare. Air rescue with trained medical staff can save lives, and actually reduce healthcare costs.

In Alberta and Saskatchewan, the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) is a key part of the chain of saving lives.

STARS has announced that the annual CEO Rescue in the Rockies fundraiser has once again been a staggering success, raising $974,869.77 in one day. Since it started in 2010, the fundraiser has seen the Alberta community come together and raise close to $4 million for STARS.

Earlier this morning, STARS partnered with influential business leaders and dropped them off at a remote location in Kananaskis Country. While stranded in the deserted location, the CEOs faced a series of survival tasks, including building a survival shelter and completing timed medical challenges. Using only their cell phones to collect donations, the CEOs had no choice but to raise $100,000 each before they were “rescued” by STARS air ambulance.

“Spending a day with the STARS team on a remote mountain was a truly memorable experience,” said John Williams, president and COO of Trilogy Energy. “I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to all the gracious individuals and companies who supported us today and helped rescue us off the mountain. Thanks to their generosity we have been able to support STARS as they provide life-saving service for all Albertans.”
The four CEOs who tested their true strengths in the wilderness included Doug Suttles, president and CEO, Encana; John Williams, president and COO, Trilogy Energy; Scott Thon, president and CEO, AltaLink; and Mark Salkeld, president and CEO, Petroleum Services Association of Canada.

“What an amazing day out on the mountain. We had rain, we had sunshine, we had it all,” said Andrea Robertson, president and CEO of STARS. “But most of all, we had four dedicated CEOs calling everyone in their network to help raise money for STARS. We cannot thank our participants enough.”

Funds raised through CEO Rescue in the Rockies will help STARS provide time, hope and life-saving transport to critically ill and injured patients.

To learn more about CEO Rescue in the Rockies for STARS or to nominate a CEO for next year’s challenge, visit foundation.stars.ca/ceorescueintherockies.

STARS is a non-profit helicopter air ambulance organization that provides rapid and specialized emergency care and transportation for critically ill and injured patients. Its doctors, nurses, paramedics, and pilots work with a team of dedicated support staff and community partners to save lives. STARS operates from bases in Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton and Grande Prairie.

You can follow STARS ongoing emergency responses, as well as CEO Rescue in the Rockies activities at www.twitter.com/starsambulance.