STARS have been bright in the Saskatchewan skies this year. The Shock, Trauma Air Rescue Society arrived in Saskatchewan earlier this year, and have been lighting up the skies from day one.
The acronym is suited to the work of this organization as all those involved are truly stars in our world.
The program, initially named Lions Air Ambulance Service, was established in Alberta in 1985 and the first mission transported a critically ill infant to tertiary care in Calgary. STARS has continued to grow to be one of the top air ambulance services in the world.
STARS is a charitable, non-profit organization, and the STARS Foundation is the fundraising arm of the organization. The funding for the program comes from donations from individuals, service groups, businesses and corporations, municipalities, and the collaborative agreements with provincial governments.
The provincial government of Saskatchewan invested $5 million in 2011-12 with approximately $10 million annually moving forward. The remainder comes from fundraising, including contributions from communities and the corporate sector. This support is vital to this important program.
When STARS came to Saskatchewan, I was more than impressed. What a blessing to have this service available to the residents of our province at a time when many of us in rural communities are questioning the effectiveness our health care system.
The first time I saw the STARS helicopter up close it was refuelling at the Carlyle Airport. It is quite a feeling to see it take off. One of the ambulance drivers I spoke with recently said "Watching them take off never gets old. It's always impressive."
Recently, my 80-year-old mother had a heart attack and following an examination and care at Moosomin hospital, it was deemed she needed to be transported to Regina General Hospital as soon as possible. She was in critical condition when we left Moosomin for Wapella by ambulance on that snowy, windy, cold night. When I think about it now, I don't believe I have ever ridden in a vehicle going that fast. The timing and coordination required for these missions is impressive. Just as we were pulling closer to the rendevous spot on the highway - the STARS helicopter was landing. The crew were out and on the ground before I even realized we had stopped. What seemed like a long time for me was only minutes while Mom was prepped, transferred, loaded in the helicopter and on her way.
When that decision to transfer is made there is little time to waste. The Moosomin volunteer fire department, who coordinate the landing at night, received the call at 12:35 a.m., and were advised STARS would land at 1:04 a.m. I recall looking at my phone when they landed - it was exactly 1:04 a.m.
Thanks to STARS, the staff at Moosomin hospital and the Moosomin Fire Department, my mother received the care she needed to save her life and our family has received the best Christmas gift ever.
As we go into the new year I will be thinking of the many families who will benefit from having STARS serve our province. Many lives will change in a good way. So, thank you STARS! I for one will be a yearly contributor to the program that helped one very dear to me and my family.
You can find out more about STARS and the lives they have touched by going to their website www.stars.ca. Also, find and like STARS on facebook at www.facebook.com/STARSairambulance. Check it out today - donations can be made online or watch for fundraisers throughout the year.
To everyone - on behalf of the staff of The Observer and myself , I would like to wish everyone a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
