On August 4th, 1997, Stu Wilson was returning from Saskatoon to Calgary when just outside of Hanna he was struck head-on by a vehicle whose driver had fallen asleep. 

Wilson was severely injured at the scene and was rushed to hospital after Paramedics and Hanna Fire Department officials had safely removed him from the wreckage of his truck. From there, STARS Air Ambulance brought him to the Foothills Hospital in Calgary where he received the care needed to save his life. 

"I obviously suffered life-threatening injuries and STARS was dispatched to the scene. I sustained significant injuries. My truck was pretty much destroyed," Wilson said. 

"I remember getting out into the back of the helicopter, talking to my flight nurse, who I now call "My Angel", and she said, "Stu, you're safe, you're with us now" and she was right because STARS safely delivered me to Foothills Hospital here in Calgary. Without the flight in STARS I would not have survived a land ambulance trip to that hospital to get the services I needed."

Wilson's story echoes that of hundreds of other Albertans who have taken a trip in a STARS Air Ambulance when local hospitals are unable to provide the level of care a patient needs. 

According to their website, in 2018/2019, STARS answered over 100 calls in central Alberta alone, with 60 calls from Red Deer, four from Lacombe, 24 from Rocky Mountain House and 42 from Wetaskiwin, just to name a few. 

The services provided by the STARS Air Ambulance are funded partially by the annual STARS Ambulance lottery, which officially launched today. 

Funding for the program helps to make rescues like that of Stu Wilson possible and provides continuous training, new technology, and equipment and innovative treatments for patients. 

"It's easy to come into work. There's a lot of motivated, well-trained people here, both for the operational crew and other support services we have," said Phil Haworth, a Captain Pilot with STARS. 

"I still remember my first mission as if it was yesterday. We definitely made a difference in that person's life and for the rest of the family members."

Wilson now acts as a VIP Ambassador (Very Important Patient) for the organization. He said, "One of the things I noticed with STARS is just the passion that every single person in this wonderful organization has for providing critical care to those who need it in their time of trouble."

Wilson added, "You never know when that bad day is going to happen, just like me. I had no idea. I'd traveled that road, time and time again, but it was my day. STARS is there for every single one of us here in Alberta. When you're needing critical care and services, STARS is there for you."

To support the 2020 STARS Lottery, you can check out their website here.