Very Important Patients

Name: STARS
Price range: $

Collage of black and white photographs showing various people in different settings including workspaces, casual environments, and portrait shots

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.

Smiling person in dark shirt standing in front of red aircraft with "STARS" text visible in background

Marcus Hirschfield

It was early in the morning on Valentine’s Day 2013, and RCMP Const. Marcus Hirschfield was looking forward to finishing his general-duty shift so he could be at home with his wife and kids.

Healthcare worker in black scrubs with stethoscope posing in front of red medical helicopter on landing pad

Jessi Fredin

The first time Jessi Fredin was in a car crash, one of her friends passed away and the other was carried by STARS. That was Grade 9. Just three years later, a month before graduation, she had her second encounter with STARS.

Older person in dark polo shirt standing in front of red helicopter on grass airfield under blue sky

Ron Diller

Ron Diller arrived at a rural hospital looking to treat his sudden and severe back pain. But during the medical examination, Diller collapsed and went into cardiac arrest, needing nearly five minutes of CPR to be revived.

Woman in black v-neck shirt smiling at camera with red STARS helicopter in background on airfield

Chelsie Bullock

The sun was making a break for the horizon one warm summer evening, and Chelsie Bullock was with her childhood friend Brittany Taylor, cruising down a road near their hometown. The moment was tragically cut short by a one-ton truck.

Person wearing blue long-sleeve shirt and glasses smiling at camera with red bus featuring "STARS" text visible in background at night.

Marcia Birkigt

Reflecting on the events of an unforgettable summertime shift, Marcia Birkigt once said: “It was a really bad day at work.” While wholly accurate, it doesn’t begin to describe the extent of her ordeal.

Smiling person in blue cardigan seated at table with red fire truck visible in blurred background

Charlotte McHugh

One foggy August morning, Charlotte McHugh left the family farm for her nursing job when a one-ton truck barrelled through a stop sign and into the driver’s side of her car.

Person sitting in the open door of a red fire truck with white stripes, smiling at the camera while resting their arm on the door frame.

Jorja Strauss

Long before young Jorja Strauss needed urgent critical care from STARS, her parents and grandparents were passionate supporters. The Strauss family would have no idea that one of their children would sustain a life-threating traumatic injury and need our helicopter and crew to help save her life.

Person wearing glasses and blue patterned shirt standing with arms crossed in front of aircraft with "STARS" text visible in hangar setting

Marc Issler

STARS was just three years old when Marc Issler’s life was saved. “The results of what was provided to me are obvious — I’m still alive."

Cowboy in white hat and gray shirt standing with brown horse and saddle in open grassland with old wooden barn in background

Kirk Wall

Kirk Wall was enjoying a quiet Sunday on his ranch, a little slice of heaven tucked out of sight on the Canadian prairies. The weekend peace was soon broken by a feisty new horse Kirk was getting to know.

Person in blue long-sleeve shirt standing beside red and white helicopter with "AMBULANCE" text visible on the side

Brodie Richardson

Harvest was in full swing when the first explosion hit. “I was caught in the driveway when I heard a whooshing sound. I tried covering up the best I could, and I got hit with this fireball.”

Child with curly reddish hair and glasses wearing a colorful patterned sleeveless top, smiling at camera against a blurred red background

Breanna Booy

Playing on a swing set: it’s a favourite pastime for many six-year-olds. Breanna Booy was doing just that when the set collapsed, sending the wood frame crashing down on her head.

Cowboy in black jacket and red bandana wearing black hat, sitting on gray horse holding lasso, wide open prairie landscape behind

Milt Mastad

Milt Mastad was returning home after a day of work when his daughters were about to take their colts out for a ride. He joined them atop Partner, a young horse he’d recently been training. Partner began bucking, and the rolling landscape, coupled with the lack of daylight, spelled disaster.

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Very Important Patients