STARS Air Ambulance
1441 Aviation Park NE T2E 8M7 Calgary, AB, Canada

Happy New Year! Best wishes for a 2021 filled with health, happiness and success. #WeAreAllSTARS

As a new year begins, our thoughts are with Calgary Police Service as members cope with the tragic and unimaginable loss of Sgt. Andrew Harnett. Our sincere condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues and the community.

STARS is honoured & excited to be riding along with Tristan Walker and Justin Snith on their upcoming mission at the World Cup event in Konigssee, Germany, Jan 2- 3/21. We wish them all the best & will be watching for them on the podium Luge Canada. #WeAreAllSTARS

It’s not too late to help save a life. Give before midnight on Dec. 31. #WeAreAllSTARS

From our family to yours, stay healthy and safe this holiday season. #WeAreAllSTARS

In the spirit of National Philanthropy Day, here at STARS we wanted to celebrate by thanking our donors for the many ways they support us. These generous donations allows us to be there for the next critically ill or injured patient who needs our help. #NPDLove #WeAreAllSTARS

When Kelly Waldron and her twin brother arrived two months early at a rural hospital, they required immediate specialized care. To learn more about how STARS was there for Kelly, click here: http://ow.ly/2mms50Cnvby #WorldPrematurityDay #WeAreAllSTARS

More than 18 per cent of STARS missions across the Prairies are related to patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. We have hit a new peak, said Tracey Steel, interim senior director of clinical services. Following each mission, our crews wipe down the entire aircraft which includes seats, seatbelts and every piece of equipment inside. To read more about our efforts to keep crews and patients safe amid the pandemic, click here: http://starshorizons.ca/covid19spike/ #WeAreAllSTARS

When I joined STARS, I knew that it was a 24-hour operation." said STARS flight nurse, Kellie Ann Vogelaar. "I tell my girls, and my family knows, that Christmas is when we’re together. Working the holidays, you just get used to it." Working the holidays isn’t a job for our crew members-it’s a passion, especially when a mission occurs. If we get called to a mission on Christmas, we know that someone’s having the worst day of their life. I am very blessed to be part of a team that can go out and help that person, so they can get home to their families," says Vogelaar. Our crew members are driven by a desire to help people in need of critical care, even if it means missing family celebrations. #WeAreAllSTARS

When the call came into the STARS Emergency Link Centre (ELC) that a glacier sightseeing coach filled with passengers had overturned, all Alberta bases jumped into action. Three helicopters going to the same scene is extremely rare, said ELC director John Griffiths. To learn more about the multi-agency coordinated effort, click here: http://ow.ly/5d6350CLp5J #WeAreAllSTARS

A Type 1 diabetic since childhood, Jean-François Bussieres was suffering from ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication of the disease, when his wife returned home and found him unconscious. He had been without insulin for 24 hours and was rushed to a nearby rural hospital. The doctor on duty knew right away that Bussieres needed urgent care and requested STARS. To read more about how time, tools and talent help critically ill patients, click here: http://starshorizons.ca/diabetic-patients-battle-was-again/ #WorldDiabetesDay #WeAreAllSTARS

Meet Jason Graveline, a STARS pilot and reservist who serves as a flight safety officer in 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters in Winnipeg. Ten days after graduating high school in a small prairie town, Graveline enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces and began training to become a military pilot. He flew helicopters, jets and turbo props during his time in the military. Throughout his 23-year career Graveline travelled around the world and had the opportunity to live in different parts of Canada. After he left the Royal Canadian Air Force, Graveline joined STARS as a pilot at our Winnipeg base. Today we remember service people past and present, to whom we owe our liberty. #RemembranceDay is close to all of us at STARS and we thank you for your service. #LestWeForget

When moments meant the difference between life and death for my daughter, STARS gave us the gift of time, says Pamela Smid. A severe blood infection left eight-month-old Matea lethargic, swollen and struggling to breathe. The rural doctor knew Matea needed urgent critical care in the city and called STARS for help. To learn more about Matea, click here: http://ow.ly/3KGM50Ce2ME #WeAreAllSTARS

Can you guess what this is? Check back this week for the answer. #TechieTuesday #WeAreAllSTARS

This week was Healthcare Simulation week. Did you know at STARS that we have iSTAN, our high-fidelity patient simulator tool to train our crews and improve our skills? Click here to learn more about iSTAN and the simulation program at STARS:http://ow.ly/bo5r50BvXXZ #WeAreAllSTARS

There has been an increase in scam calls regarding the STARS lotteries. STARS will NEVER ask for money to claim a prize. If you receive such a call, it is a scam. Please report it with the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre or your local police detachment. #WeAreAllSTARS

Today is #WorldPatientSafetyDay and at STARS, we have a saying - Its all about the patient. Safety is a core value at STARS and we practice this everyday with our crew, both on the front lines and back at the base. #WeAreAllSTARS

While our red helicopter is STARS most recognizable tool, its the crew in engineering who keep the aircraft mission-ready for when the call comes to help save a life. Learn more about how our engineers keep our helicopters mission ready: http://ow.ly/8UIf50BrUzE #WeAreAllSTARS

"Being that sick has made me realize how precious life is. One minute you can be just fine and the next you are fighting for your life," said Alyssa Gray. STARS was there for Alyssa to help her get back to the sports she loves. Read more here: http://ow.ly/AjIn50BpaP3 #WeAreAllSTARS

This week is #NationalAirAmbulanceWeek and we want to tip our helmets to our fellow emergency service partners across the globe. We are proud to work in a field that includes such talented and dedicated professionals. #WeAreAllSTARS

Today is #WorldFirstAidDay. Did you know that its never too early or too late to learn first aid? STARS flight nurse Sandra Young shows a child an AED (automated external defibrillator) training device. #WeAreAllSTARS

Happy Labour Day weekend! Enjoy the final long weekend of the summer. Please stay safe, alert and vigilant while enjoying the beautiful Prairie landscape. #WeAreAllSTARS

I didnt even realize how serious things were for Jamaica and then a helicopter comes in. I was so grateful that STARS was there to help her and get her to the medical care that she needed. Click here to learn more about Jamaicas story : http://ow.ly/pVpd50Bd9fz #WeAreAllSTARS

Do you know what this is and why it is so critical to every mission? Check back this week for the answer. #WeAreAllSTARS #TechieTuesday

As the summer comes to a close, we want to thank our community partners & allies for their help during this busy summer season. We couldnt do what we do without our chain of survival allies across the Prairies. #WeAreAllSTARS (Photo credit to Alpine Helicopters).

As we head into the final stretch of the summer vacation, it is important to remain safe and alert while on the water. Here are some tips from the Lifesaving Society Canada: Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional death among Canadians under 60+ years of age. Even one drowning is one too many. Watch me, not your cell phone. Always directly supervise children around the water - if youre not within arms reach, youve gone too far.... Always swim with a buddy. Choose It. Use It. Always wear a Lifejacket or PFD when in a boat. Have fun, stay safe and stay alert. #WeAreAllSTARS

The STARS family wishes our farmers, agriculture partners and Hutterite allies a safe and plentiful harvest season. Thank you for providing for Western Canadians. #WeAreAllSTARS

Happy #InternationalDogDay! Meet some of our furry little friends who belong to our STARS crew members. We think they are pawsitively awesome! #WeAreAllSTARS

Do you know what these round contraptions are used for on our helicopters? Check back this week for the answer. #WeAreAllSTARS #TechieTuesday

This summer has provided warm temperatures throughout the Prairies. Have you ever wondered what its like to fly in a helicopter during a heatwave? We asked our crew members what it is like and how they work within these warm conditions. Read more here: http://starshorizons.ca/patient-care-coming-in-hot/ #WeAreAllSTARS

Tickets are still available for the first virtual Pursenal Mission in support of STARS is on August 30. This exclusive event includes a chat with Very Important Patient and Paralympian Jenn Oakes, a wellness workshop with Jamie Bay and our famous designer purse auction. Click here to buy your tickets: https://foundation.stars.ca/pursenalmission/tickets/48791 #WeAreAllSTARS

Tickets are nearly sold out! Only a few remain for the 8:30 pm show, so weve added a second show at 5 pm! Head to nightwithstars.ca to get your tickets. #WeAreAllSTARS

Tickets are now on sale! A limited number of parking spots are available so hurry and buy yours! Our annual Night with STARS Gala presented by GMS has been transformed into a live drive-in concert featuring two of countrys hottest stars: George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett. Mark your calendars for Saturday Oct. 3 at 8:30 p.m. Pull up alongside a STARS helicopter in the parking lot of Reginas Turvey Center to enjoy a night of live music, an 8 oz homestyle burger with all the ...fixings (and popcorn, of course), online shopping at a terrific silent auction, and a chance to take home the winnings of a three-week online campaign for 50/50 sales. Tickets are $115/vehicle and $15/meal per person and go on sale Thursday, Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. For information, to see the full list of COVID-19 precautions, and to purchase tickets visit www.nightwithstars.ca. Join us in helping STARS be there for the next patient in Saskatchewan.

Today is #WorldHumanitarianDay. Meet Ken King, Chief Medical Office Clinical Lead & flight paramedic at STARS for over thirty years. When not responding to missions in Western Canada, Ken volunteers his spare time for Haiti Air Ambulance (HAA) in Port au Prince, Haiti. The service connects rural Haitians with medical care from paramedics from across North America and Haiti. The Caribbean is a special place for Ken after growing up on the islands of Antigua and Barbados. Hav...ing seen firsthand the gap in available resources that we often take for granted living in North America Ken was moved to use his training to help those in need. After receiving a grant from the International Flight Paramedic Association, Ken went to Haiti to offer his medical expertise. It is a privilege to do the work that paramedics do. Our education and resources in Canada are significant when compared to places like Haiti. The care in the Caribbean is sparse and can sometimes require travelling for a day to receive medical attention. This includes walking or carrying someone, riding on the back of a motorbike or living with injury or illness. The HAA connects rural Haitians with medical care, and they are very appreciative of the impact that the medical care has on their lives. On giving back, Ken says, My success comes from others who were willing to educate and teach me and to share this abroad with others is very rewarding. Much like STARS, there is a close comradery among the HAA team. We all learn from each others experiences from across North America and Haiti, which makes us all better caregivers. To learn more about Ken, click here: http://ow.ly/C1lw50B41gq #WeAreAllSTARS

Exciting concert announcement! Our annual Night with STARS Gala presented by GMS has been transformed into a live drive-in concert featuring two of countrys hottest stars: George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett. Mark your calendars for Saturday Oct. 3 at 8:30 p.m. Pull up alongside a STARS helicopter in the parking lot of Reginas Turvey Center to enjoy a night of live music, an 8 oz homestyle burger with all the fixings (and popcorn, of course), online shopping at a terrific sil...ent auction, and a chance to take home the winnings of a three-week online campaign for 50/50 sales. Tickets are $115/vehicle and $15/meal per person and go on sale Thursday, Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. For information, to see the full list of COVID-19 precautions, and to purchase tickets visit nightwithstars.ca. Join us in helping STARS be there for the next patient in Saskatchewan. See more

The prairies are known for beautiful summer temperatures, but we also know that dangerous storms can be right around the corner. Did you know that weather checks are a vital piece of every STARS mission? Before a mission is accepted the pilots do a thorough check to ensure they can arrive to the scene of the emergency or hospital and back to their destination safely. Click here to read more: http://ow.ly/MYYY50B1V4E #WeAreAllSTARS

On #WorldHelicopterDay, we tip our flight helmets to one of the finest engineering inventions ever. Our founder, Dr. Powell understood the potential of helicopters as modes of medical evacuation and intervention after seeing them in action in Vietnam. And here we are, three decades later, flying in the Western Canadian skies. #WeAreAllSTARS

Today is #InternationalYouthDay and we wanted to share the story of the philanthropic Waters children who have generously donated their birthday money to STARS. Ive always liked to help other people, said Swayde Waters. It makes me feel good. Thanks to the generosity of entrepreneurs like the Waters siblings , STARS is able to continue offering time and hope to critically ill and injured patients. To learn more about these young philanthropists, click here: http://ow.ly/USIe50AXZU8

Last week, we asked why the word ambulance is backwards on the front of our helicopters. It was a simple but meaningful touch to put this on the BK in the beginning and the tradition has carried on with our new fleet. Watch this video to learn more. #WeAreAllSTARS

In these busy summer months, wed like to extend our gratitude to our community allies that help us save lives across Western Canada. #WeAreAllSTARS

Im very thankful, and I really believe if it hadnt been for STARS it could have been a lot worse, said Frances Wakelin. STARS transported her to the hospital to reduce the risk of further injury after a vehicle rollover. Less than a year later, Frances was able to return to her profession as a seamstress. Click here to learn more: http://ow.ly/j6ty50ASZiy

Do you know why ambulance is spelled backwards on the front on our helicopters? Check back this week for the answer! #WeAreAllSTARS

We wish you a safe and happy August long weekend. Enjoy the sunshine and the warm weather! Please stay safe and continue to practice social distancing when possible. #WeAreAllSTARS

Today we are celebrating #InternationalFriendshipDay and sharing the story of VIP Hilleree Valade-Kubar. While on a girls trip with her best friends, Hilleree started to experience chest pain on the car ride home. The closest rural hospital was luckily three kilometres away, and STARS was dispatched.Click here to read more: http://starshorizons.ca/viphillereevaladekubar/ #WeAreAllSTARS

I think a lot more about safety when I go dirt biking, says Caiden Hendry. While dirt biking with his family, Caiden lost control driving too fast over a hill and landed face down in the gravel, with his bike on top of him. Due to his serious injury, STARS was dispatched. To learn more about Caidens story, click here: http://ow.ly/4A4B50ALLFV #WeAreAllSTARS

Can you guess what this tool does? How does this tool help to prepare our crew and our academy students for the front lines? Well reveal the answer later this week. #TechieTuesday #WeAreAllSTARS

We want your feedback! The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our world, our communities, work and personal lives drastically. We want to hear from you and see if there are better ways for us to serve you as an ally. Please complete our Have Your Say survey. It should take no longer than five minutes to complete.... Fill out the survey before July 31 and you can enter a draw to win a STARS prize pack! https://starsfoundation.typeform.com/to/txjWhXMC