Ticket sales for STARS Alberta lottery ends Thursday

Mar 21, 2018 | 3:29 PM

With an average of nine missions per day in Western Canada, and five per day in Alberta, STARS Air Ambulance is a much-needed resource.

To keep STARS going, it relies on donations and fundraisers, like the lottery that wraps up Thursday.

According to Glenda Farnden, with STARS Alberta chapter, this lottery funds one-third of their operations and makes it possible for us to have three STARS bases in Alberta.

There is almost a mission a day from the Grande Prairie STARS base. Farnden says Grande Prairie averages about 300 missions per year with most calls going to Valleyview, Grande Cache and High Prairie areas, not only for inter-facility transfers, but also for scene call emergencies.

“I think the main thing is to remember we are a charitable entity and the fact that there is no bill to the patients. So as Albertans we are very fortunate and privileged that we have this type of service available to us,” explained Farnden. “It is a collective effort and everyone in some shape or form can do their part, whether it is giving a charitable contribution, or participating in the lottery, or buying a calendar or attending one of the signature events.”

Tickets for the annual STARS lottery are on sale until tomorrow at midnight. Prizes include $500,000 cash, luxury houses and vacations.

by Sheena Roszell