Very Important Patients

Name: STARS
Price range: $

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It doesn’t matter who you are. It doesn’t matter where you are. If you need critical care, our mission is to be there for you in whatever capacity we can help. Every one of our VIPs — Very Important Patients — has a unique story of how STARS was their best hope in a worst-case scenario. We are honoured to share some of their inspirational stories here.

If you are one of our VIPs and would like to meet your crew or share your story, please email us at vip@stars.ca.

Person holding an acoustic guitar wearing a cap and olive jacket, standing in a hangar with red helicopters in the background.

Jacquie Drew

After surviving a motorcycle crash, singer Jacquie Drew wrote "If I Could Fly" to honour STARS and founder Dr. Greg Powell. Inspired by Powell’s legacy, she performed her emotional tribute for the organization, expressing deep gratitude for the lifesaving care she received.

Six people sit on yellow equipment in front of a red STARS helicopter in an indoor hangar during daytime.

Tyler Lister

When a bout with pneumonia took a serious turn, Tyler Lister needed urgent care at specialized hospital. STARS was called, and Tyler's life was saved.

Person in cowboy hat and patterned shirt standing with two horses on a rocky coastal landscape with water and overcast sky

Paula Johnson

A casual horseback ride with friends took a turn when Paula’s mount spooked and she was thrown to the ground. Local crews responded and STARS landed at her remote location, ensuring she quickly had the essential care she needed.

Person standing on a wooden dock by a calm lake with rocky shoreline, evergreen trees, and dramatic cloudy sky in the background.

Wade Cassidy

Wade Cassidy was waist-deep in the water near his lakeside cabin when a massive heart attack struck. “I didn’t have hours,” he recalled. “I had minutes.” As family, friends, and emergency responders rallied to help, STARS launched from more than 200 km away.

Person in black winter gear and helmet sitting on a snowmobile on a frozen lake with bare trees and cloudy sky in background

Theo Konidas

Teenager Theo Konidas was enjoying a snowmobile ride when a patch of ice resulted in a near-fatal crash. His parents performed CPR, local emergency crews arrived, and STARS responded. “I wouldn’t be here without them,” says Theo.

Man in plaid shirt standing in field with hands on hips, heavy equipment and truck visible in background under cloudy sky

Sean Rickards

When Sean Rickards became wedged between a semi-truck and an earthmover, it nearly ended his life, but teamwork and skill by everyone who responded fought numerous odds and gave him the second chance he deserved.

Person in blue striped shirt standing between birch trees in front of an old wooden cabin with overgrown grass around it.

Brandon Hemerle

Brandon Hemerle was on a cattle drive when the horse he was riding spooked and fell down an embankment, landing with Brandon underneath. Brandon’s back was severely injured, resulting in a STARS response.

Person in white sweater smiling at camera in modern gym with red walls, exercise equipment, and studio lighting in background

Emma Menyer

Emma Menyer and a friend were travelling home after a long weekend vacation. Emma was resting in the back of the car when they were struck by a train. Due of the severity of her injuries and the risk of travelling by ground with a fractured neck, STARS was called.

Person in dark shirt standing in aircraft hangar with red helicopter visible in background

Broc Higginson

After passing out while on a family vacation, Broc Higginson was rushed to a local hospital. After discovering that undiagnosed brain tumours had triggered a seizure, STARS was called to rapidly transport Broc to a major hospital for neurosurgery.

Woman holding a toddler in front of a red fire truck, both smiling at the camera while the child waves

Christine Aarsby

For Christine Aarsby, the birth of her daughter Addy had been planned as a joyous day for her and her family. Moments after Addy was born via C-section, the situation worsened after Christine suffered a rare complication.

Family of four smiling outdoors in a grassy field with trees in the background. Two adults and two children posing together for a portrait.

Doug MacTavish

Deep in the rugged mountains of northern B.C., two hunters left their riverside camp in pursuit of stone sheep. Neither could have predicted a major heart attack would derail everything. Reaching and providing critical care to STARS Very Important Patient Doug MacTavish would soon become the focus of the longest helicopter mission ever flown by STARS.

Five people in work uniforms standing in front of a red and yellow helicopter inside a hangar

Reyez Rowan

Rapid response and skilled hands make a difference in a traumatic injury. After being involved in a violent incident at school, STARS Very Important Patient Reyez Rowan was quickly cared for by our talented Air Medical Crew. Leveraging years of experience and knowledge, our team worked to stop Reyez’s massive blood loss and get him to surgery. A few weeks later, he walked on to the golf course.

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Very Important Patients