Starting on Thursday, October 15th Sunny 94 and LacombeOnline will be hosting a two-day STARS Air Ambulance Critical Care on the Air Radiothon. The radio station will be airing interviews with patients who have been saved by the red helicopter ambulance in an effort to fundraise for the organization.

With the ongoing pandemic, STARS, like many other organization, have had difficulties with fundraising. The money they fundraise is a critical aspect of managing the emergency care service.

“That money goes to keeping the helicopter up in the air… It also goes to our Emergency Link Center. Although we have eight missions per day across Western Canada, we also field on average 40 calls,” said Terri Eger, Manager of Events and Community Engagement for STARS.

The Emergency Care Link Centre staff aid people over the phone without leaving the air. Eger says the donations to STARS help them do everything right down to affording bolts for the helicopter.

Photo courtesy of STARS Air Ambulance.

The Stars Air Ambulance is a grassroots organization that was started in 1985 by Doctor Greg Powell.

 “He started with just selling ball caps out of the back of his car and getting support from community groups like the Lions Club,” said Eger.

Now 35 years later, STARS still sells those ball caps and other merchandise to make a bit of extra funding. You can purchase STARS merchandise from Peavey Mart and all the proceeds are given right back to STARS.

“As much as we get big donations and big corporate support now, we also still keep selling those ball caps and we have folks right on the ground that really support us and do great things for us,” said Eger.

The STARS air ambulance is built like an intensive care unit and is able to handle most situations.

“The medical crew can do all sorts of amazing things either on the field or in the air to provide really top notch care to folks as soon as they get there. It’s really giving the gift of time,” said Eger.

The Red Deer area is covered by both the Edmonton and Calgary STARS. If you would like to donate to STARS air ambulance, click here for more information.