Latest news with #HopeAir
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lower bridge, ferry costs mean less of a barrier for people going off-Island for health care
Living with a rare disease that comes with chronic pain hasn't been easy or cheap for P.E.I. resident Christine MacFadyen. Just leaving the province to get treatment came with a hefty price tag of $50 to cross the Confederation Bridge — a cost that added up quickly, given that she's been unable to work and has had to make the trip for the past 16 years. MacFadyen has granulomatosis with polyangiitis, or GPA, which causes swelling in small blood vessels. The bridge toll, along with the cost of gas and hotels, has meant a major financial strain for her family. She estimates she had to cross the Northumberland Strait to the mainland roughly 25 times a year. The cost associated with travelling off-Island for health care eventually pushed MacFadyen's family into bankruptcy. WATCH | Cheaper bridge and ferry trips will help people who have to leave P.E.I. for health care: "Sometimes we didn't have the money to go across the bridge and that was a barrier to getting the proper health care," she said. That toll to cross the bridge to New Brunswick will fall to $20 as of this Friday, following an announcement by Prime Minister Mark Carney this week. Fares for passengers, cars and commercial traffic on the ferry service between eastern P.E.I. and Nova Scotia will also go down by 50 per cent. MacFadyen no longer has to cover the bridge toll herself thanks to Hope Air, an organization that provides financial support to Canadians who need to travel to access medical care. While she said the toll reduction will make a difference for others like her who have to travel out of province for health care, she thinks the cost should be free for anyone receiving medical treatment that's not available to them in this province. "If [treatment is] not available on the Island, then we have no other choice," MacFadyen said. The P.E.I. government does offer some out-of-province travel supports to Islanders, depending on their income, to cover costs like flights, ferry passes, gas cards, bus tickets and meals. In a statement to CBC News, the province said it gave out 1,420 bridge passes and 44 ferry passes last year to people travelling for health care. 'The number one side effect of cancer is debt' Grappling with debt from health-care expenses impacts more than just those with rare conditions. Heather Mulligan, the Canadian Cancer Society's senior manager of advocacy for Atlantic Canada, said the organization often hears from Islanders who say the financial support available to them is not enough. "The number one side effect of cancer is debt," Mulligan said. Many people living with cancer on the Island have no choice but to travel out of province to get the care they need. Mulligan said some patients go to off-Island appointments every month. She said lowering the bridge toll will eliminate some of the barriers patients face when accessing medical care. "Reducing the bridge fees and reducing the ferry fees not only is an affordability announcement, one that is meant to bolster tourism and interconnectedness, but it eliminates a financial barrier that some Islanders have to face when accessing an essential care like cancer care," Mulligan said.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
N.L. government partners for high-flying medical transportation pilot program
A new partnership between Newfoundland and Labrador and a national charity will send some Labrador medical patients flying high for treatment, at no upfront cost. Hope Air signed on to the pilot project with the province's Medical Transportation Assistance Program (MTAP) on Tuesday. Labrador Affairs Minster Lisa Dempster said it's a "beautiful" thing. Patients who have a gross family income of $70,000 or less can apply to Hope Air directly and, if approved, the organization will arrange and pay for their flights, accommodations, meals and taxis. "It's like the full meal deal," Dempster said in an interview on CBC Radio's On The Go. She said it won't replace the existing provincial program, which reimburses those who require air travel to get to their appointments for specialized treatments. A document highlighting the Hope Air partnership says people should consider both options and choose the one that is "most economical and suitable" for their needs. Once Hope Air arranges travel and accommodation, the charity then submits an application to the province for reimbursement. WATCH | Lisa Dempster signs on to a new medical transportation partnership: The province has committed almost $700,000 to the project, according to Dempster. The minister said it's great news for those in northern Labrador who typically have to avail of medical transportation. "We know that on a per-capita basis, the medical transportation assistance program is used eight times more often by Labradorians than folks who call the island portion of the province home," said Dempster. According to a news release from the Department of Labrador Affairs, Hope Air provided 2,137 medical travel arrangements for Newfoundland and Labrador residents last year. PC MHA Lela Evans, who represents Torngat Mountains, says it's a good initiative on the surface, but she's concerned about the implications it may have. "I fear that access to health care now has become politicised," Evans told CBC News. Evans said the project won't solve any of the major barriers to health-care services Labradorians face, but will create a two-tier system in which the province is acting as a gatekeeper. Hope Air's application form asks several questions about sources of household income and additional financial support, but the government says those with a household income over $70,000 can still apply for assistance through MTAP. That doesn't ease Evans's worries. "That adds more questions than it provides solutions.… We're supposed to have universal health care," Evans said. "But when we look at Labrador, not so much." Patients are eligible to apply for assistance through the Hope Air pilot program until March 31, 2026. Download our to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our . Click .
Hamilton Spectator
10-06-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Hope Air connects ‘all the dots' to critical medical care
Desperate to get to a bigger centre for medical needs? Have you heard of Hope Air? Pilots and planes congregated on Manitoulin last week for the first leg of a fundraiser. The Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport was busy with arrivals and refuelling as it hosted volunteers inbound for Hope Air Day in Sault Ste Marie. Somewhat smoky conditions, blowing in from Manitoba and northwestern Ontario, were shared by aircrews as they landed. Welcomed by airport manager Robert (Robby) Colwell, all were delighted with the new Gore Bay flight facilities. A luncheon and speeches mid-afternoon acknowledged the value of Hope Air. 'Hope Air takes the pressure off ... the worries of transportation,' said Colwell. 'Most Hope Air clients have medical needs of a serious nature. I have never seen a client who wasn't happy boarding an aircraft or returning. Hope Air makes their experience wonderful. I get to witness this in my job. 'The mission statement of Hope Air could not happen without places like this. Airports are a very important piece of infrastructure. We play a very important role. I like to think of Hope Air as the angels of the sky.' Jon Collins, chief development officer for Hope Air, had much to say from the podium. 'There were 46,000 travel arrangements last year,' Collins said. 'Donors and sponsors are essential to each story. We connect with people and communities. I've been with the organization coming up on four years. 'Today is part of a celebration of our volunteer pilots. They help people access care from places that may not have all the skilled medical services. With chronic pain or conditions, you can't wait. We have accommodation allowances, too. 'The tour is also about raising much-needed funds. Our Give Hope Wings tour will have a family-friendly event at the airport, then there is an evening at the Bushplane Heritage Museum.' Hope Air Day in Sault Ste Marie, and the tour is all about asking Ontarians to stand behind equitable access to healthcare. Kelly Chaytor from Manitoulin Transport said Manitoulin Transport likes to help everybody. 'As the donation coordinator, it is a full-time job,' Chaytor said. Hope Air Day moved on to Marathon, followed by Sioux Lookout and Red Lake, with the final destination in Winnipeg. Some pilots opted not to go the full route, acknowledging the growing need for hotel rooms for evacuees from the wildfires in other parts of Canada. Who are those who need Hope Air? 'My journey started with a fall,' shared Bonnie Stevens. With much damage to her vision and eye elements, she was struggling. 'It has been a three-year journey. My eyesight has been restored. At 75 years old, Hope Air has given me my life back. I can attest that it is an amazing organization.' Another recipient recounted her many flights south. A double organ transplant recipient, Dawn Young-Tolsma said what Hope Air delivers is a miracle. 'I have tomorrow,' Young-Tolsma said. 'There was kindness. I am alive. Hope Air can connect all the dots. It started for me in 2018, and I don't know how many times I flew with them. They knew I had to get to the London hospital rapidly, and then they brought me home, always.' Sylvio Roy and Lori Sweet are a flight team. Sweet looks after the radio on their 1976 Piper Arrow. 'I support my husband in this 110 per cent,' Lori said. Sylvio Roy is a Canadian Forces retired pilot and loves using his skills to support Hope Air missions. 'About 85 per cent of what Hope Air delivers is with commercial airlines, but what we do is offer greater reach and more convenience.' Ed Johnston, of Toronto, has spent a decade with the organization. 'We cultivated a community that cares,' he said. Blake and Darlene Gennoe are new. 'About a year. Then we heard about Hope Air. We are based out of North Bay,' said Darlene. 'Blake was looking for a hobby. This is valuable in a way other hobbies might not.' Edie Craddock's 1979 Piper Aztec is a twin prop with space. 'It is a workhorse. The triangle of Sudbury, Timmins, Kapuskasing and Hamilton is very doable from my home in the Muskokas. I've gone all the way to Hearst. It can carry several passengers and even a small wheelchair in the luggage store. 'Flying was on the bucket list for me. I knew about Hope Air for some time. We are all trying to pay it forward. I want to help people. We all do. It is a privilege to do what we do.' The Local Journalism Initiative is made possible through funding from the federal government. Bluesky: @ X: @SudburyStar Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CTV News
07-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Hope Air Day held in Sault Ste. Marie
Friday was Hope Air Day in Sault Ste. Marie, a day that provides education about the non-profit that helps people get health care they desperately need.
Hamilton Spectator
06-06-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Hope Air marks annual day celebrating impact of free flights for patients in need
Hope Air, a charity providing free travel for low-income Canadians needing medical care, is celebrating its annual Hope Air Day today with a virtual event on Facebook at 3 p.m. Pacific time. The event highlights the importance of equitable access to healthcare, especially for patients from rural and underserved communities who must travel long distances for essential medical treatment. Hope Air's senior digital marketing coordinator, Christine Stolte, shares that the charity arranged 32,497 travel arrangements in 2024 for 5,973 patients and caregivers, including 9,127 flights and 10,652 hotel nights in British Columbia. Northern B.C. alone accounted for 50 per cent of this patient travel. While the most popular routes in British Columbia included Prince George, Terrace, and Fort St. John to Vancouver, northern B.C.'s most frequently travelled routes were Smithers, Prince Rupert, and Fort Nelson to Vancouver. Seventy three per cent of all patients who used Hope Air had household incomes below $45,000. Eighty seven per cent of these patients had no other viable travel options. 'Rural health is only as strong as the connections we build between community and care. Hope Air bridges that gap for thousands of B.C. residents each year, making timely access to specialized treatments possible for people who need it most,' said Paul Adams, executive director of BC Rural Health Network. Stolte shares that since its founding in 1986, Hope Air has arranged more than 235,980 travel support for over 25,000 patients in about 640 communities across Canada. Today's event will feature stories from patients, volunteers, and supporters who help bridge the gap between home and hospital. It will also include a live concert by country music artist Cory Marks, streamed from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Apart from free flights, the charity provides accommodations, meal vouchers, and ground transportation to Canadians who otherwise cannot afford it. Individuals in need can visit their website to learn more about accessing the available resources. Watch the event: Hope Air Day on Facebook Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
