Kelly Waldron

As I took my daughter to her first day of Kindergarten, I realized this was something I never would have had the opportunity to do, had it not been for STARS.

You see, I am STARS’ first Very Important Patient.

STARS and I were born on the same day — Dec. 1, 1985.

My mother was 27 weeks pregnant when she went into early labour with me and my twin brother. I was born black-and-blue from head to toe with no detectable heartbeat. My parents were told they would never see me alive. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that I would not be here today had it not been for Dr. Greg Powell’s life-saving idea, which had just been established in Alberta.

That one flight from Lethbridge to Calgary saved a baby who would grow up to travel the world, co-operate my own accounting firm with two other ladies; and, most importantly, get married and have two beautiful daughters of my own that I can’t imagine life without.

My family kept in touch with the Powells over the years; you could say I grew up with STARS in my eyes! So, with my parents and husband in on a surprise, Dr. Powell and his wife Linda came by my house one Sunday in the spring of 2019.

I’d been told STARS was coming to shoot a promotional video for the fleet renewal campaign, but when the Powells handed me a package to open, I didn’t quite know what was going on. It was a picture of one of the new helicopters with the five-letter registration mark ​“C‑GKLY.” Dr. Powell explained that all aircraft in Canada start with C‑G or C‑F and then the remaining letters can be customized.

I can honestly say it took me a few minutes to understand what was happening, but once I realized that ​“KLY” stood for my name, Kelly, a rush of emotions hit me.

I remember feeling that I don’t deserve this; that I was only the first patient. STARS saved me — it should be me honouring STARS, not the other way around!

To this day, I still can’t believe it. It is such a special honour.