What exactly is Critical Care on the Air? Well it was a two day Radiothon presented by BHP and P & H that was heard in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta through 90 radio stations. Volunteers and sponsors were on hand answering the phones, while the staff kept track of the on-line donations. I made my donation during a “matching” hour and on line. And while the radio-thon is technically over, you can still go on line and make that very important donation. STARS is a charity that operates on a community funded model that consists of individual donations, community fundraising, corporate support and government funding.
Regina’s STARS base is staffed with a crew ready to fly out whenever the need arises. In 2013, STARS became the first air medical service in Canada to carry blood on board. That means life saving transfusions are possible mid-flight. Night Vision Goggles is another innovation that became part of the STARS equipment in 2003. Donation dollars are used for warming blankets, flight suits, fuel for the aircraft, defibrillator pads, oxygen regulator, blood analyzers – just a few of the things that make life easier for the crews.
The approximate annual cost per base is $12.2 million. There are 36,571 annual donors, over 38,000 emergency requests are handled, 105 on average emergency requests a day. What are the emergencies? Anything can happen at anytime. Ask someone who’s in a farming accident, a motor vehicle accident, a recreational accident. In your worst moment STARS can be there, but they need that support from all of us.
STARS hosts many events through the year to assist with the much needed funding for training programs, keeping fuel into the helicopters and providing top notch health care when you need it the most. The crew on a STARS flight work in unison to give the V.I.P. the best care and quickest life saving response. When the helicopter lands at the hospital the medical staff know exactly what the situation is. Did you know, Stars’ aircraft carry blood on board and all the things that are required in emergencies big and small.
While the Radio Thon was earlier this week. You can still make a difference by going on line www.criticalcareontheair.ca. Currently the on-line total is closing in on $480,000.
How about we push that up to a goal of $500,000. That helps out in so many way.
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STARS – equipped to save lives.
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