Inaugural Critical Care on the Air Radiothon for STARS – Westman set for June 18

TARS will be taking to the airwaves in Brandon and area June 18 for the Critical Care on the Air Radiothon – Westman.

Broadcasting on 96.1 Bob FM and Pure Country 101, the radiothon will feature stories from STARS’ crew members, allies, and our Very Important Patients. The event will begin at 6 a.m. and run until 6 p.m. across both Brandon stations.

“This will be our first radiothon in Western Manitoba and we couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with the team at BOB and Pure Country,” said Lori Derksen, STARS. Development officer “We look forward to sharing the incredible stories of our allies, patients and STARS team members with Brandon and area residents.”

Colleen Mayer, STARS Director of Development, Manitoba, noted that roughly half of all Western Canadians live in rural areas where emergency ground transportation isn’t always fast enough and each year hundreds of Manitobans rely on STARS for advanced care and direct transport to hospital.

“With 760 missions in our last fiscal year, which was a new record for our base, we know there continues to be a need for the services STARS provides in Manitoba,” Mayer said. “The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has forced the postponement or cancellation of the events we rely on for funding, which has created significant challenges for our organization. With that, the money raised during the radiothon, is more important than ever.”

Mayer added every dollar raised during the event will stay in Manitoba and go towards STARS mission of saving lives. “It helps purchase personal protective equipment, puts fuel in the helicopter and provides our team with the best medical equipment available. Most importantly it helps ensure the next time you, or someone you love needs us, STARS will be there.”

There are three ways to contribute during the radiothon: online at criticalcareontheair.ca; by calling 1-877-57-STARS (577-8277) or by texting STARS to 45678 to make a $20 donation.

Since beginning full-time operations in Manitoba in the fall of 2011, STARS has carried out more than 3,950 missions in the province, with several of them taking place in the Westman region. Of note, STARS has flown 154 missions to Brandon, 109 to Dauphin, 36 to Minnedosa and hundreds more to communities throughout the region.

(submitted)