Latest news with #HopeAirDay
Hamilton Spectator
17 hours ago
- 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 .
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- 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 .
CTV News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Cory Marks to play Hope Air Day concert
In celebration of Hope Air Day, a live concert will be held in the Sault at the Bushplane Museum, featuring country music artist Cory Marks. Marks sat down with Tony Ryma to talk about the event and the work Hope Air does.
Cision Canada
22-05-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Hope Air Day - June 6, 2025: A National Effort to Ensure Equal Access to Healthcare
TORONTO, May 22, 2025 /CNW/ - On June 6, 2025, communities across Canada will unite to celebrate Hope Air Day, a day dedicated to reaffirming the commitment to equal healthcare access nationwide. The day highlights the critical work of Hope Air and its partners in breaking down barriers to medical care, particularly for patients in rural or underserved areas. Hope Air has become an integral part of the Canadian healthcare system, offering free travel assistance to thousands of patients in need of life-saving medical treatments. Through its free airline flights and other medical travel services, Hope Air helps low-income Canadians overcome the financial and logistical challenges of seeking specialty medical care. By bridging the gap between remote communities and vital healthcare services, Hope Air ensures timely access to essential treatments that might otherwise be out of reach. Hope Air supports patients living in over 650 rural or under-served communities across Canada. Hope Air Day brings together leaders from all sectors— government, industry, healthcare, aviation, and communities—working in unison to eliminate the obstacles preventing equal healthcare access. Every year, Hope Air coordinates over 45,000 travel arrangements for patients in over 650 communities across Canada. Its services include flights, accommodations, airport transport (via Uber), and meals—completely free for patients and their accompanying escorts. In celebration of Hope Air Day, a live concert will be held in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, featuring country music artist Cory Marks and streamed live on Facebook at 6pm EST. June 6 th and will be attended by community members, supporters, and partners. Cities and towns across Canada will also celebrate Hope Air Day through various activities including social media posts, media stories, fundraisers and community celebrations. "Hope Air Day is a nationwide affirmation that every Canadian deserves access to specialized medical care, no matter where they live, who they are, or their financial situation," said Mark Rubinstein, Chief Hope Officer of Hope Air. "It's a call to action for continued and enhanced collaboration between Hope Air and governments, healthcare providers, private partners, and communities to ensure the promise of universal healthcare is upheld." Voices of Support from Across Canada "The government of Prince Edward Island is proud to partner with Hope Air to deliver travel support to Islanders in financial need who must travel out of province for speciality medical care," said the Honourable Mark McLane, Health Minister of Prince Edward Island. "Our longstanding relationship with Hope Air has been a critical part of PEIs healthcare system, ensuring that every Islander gets equitable and timely access to the healthcare they need." "Travel is an essential part of Newfoundland & Labrador's healthcare system, and Hope Air provides critical support for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians that must travel long distances to access speciality medical services," said the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Labrador Affairs. "On Hope Air Day we proudly support and celebrate the important work of Hope Air in ensuring equitable access to healthcare to Canadians in rural and remote communities." "Hope Air plays a crucial role in Northern Ontario by helping low-income residents reach the medical care they need, far from home. The services they provide—free flights, accommodations, Uber rides, and more—are essential for ensuring that people in our region receive timely care for life-threatening conditions. Without Hope Air, many would face insurmountable barriers to treatment," said Danny Whalen, President of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities. "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." - Paul Adams, Executive Director, BC Rural Health Network To learn more about Hope Air Day About Hope Air Hope Air is Canada's national charity dedicated to providing free flights and accommodations for low-income Canadians, who must travel long distances to access medical specialty care. Hope Air eliminates barriers of distance and cost so that patients in financial need, can travel to access the best available treatment for many life-threatening health conditions. Founded in 1986, Hope Air has facilitated over 235,980 travel arrangements across over 640 communities. Funding for Hope Air programs is generously provided through public and private sector partnerships, including provincial governments, foundation, corporate and individual donors. Hope Air is also generously supported by the Canadian airline and airport transportation sector, and dedicated volunteers. 2024 Impact: 45,943 total travel arrangements, including 13,721 flights, 14,136 accommodations, 9,813 meals, and 2,926 PEI bridge/ferry/gas passes Served patients from over 640 communities 85% increase in services compared to prior year Patient Statistics: 73% of patients have household incomes under $45,000 87% of patients had no other viable travel options. Without Hope Air, patients would cancel or delay medical treatment leading to poorer health outcomes. 65% of patients would face financial hardship without Hope Air 93% experienced reduced stress, and 78% reported better health outcomes
