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(Image Credit: Erika Rolling)
By Erika Rolling
Community

STARS fundraisers bring in $575K

Oct 2, 2026 | 12:42 PM

For the second time in history, over half a million dollars has been raised for STARS Air Ambulance in Grande Prairie through the Rescue in the North fundraiser and A Night with STARS gala.

Four community leaders got to experience a “day in STARS life” through the 2026 Rescue in the North fundraising event. Each participant had the goal of raising at least $50,000 through the support of their network, friends, and family.

President and CEO of STARS, Dr. John Froh, says Rescue in the North acts as a way for participants to learn what STARS does during missions, including flying in a H145 helicopter to a remote location and completing multiple challenges involving medical, survival, and fundraising operations.

“All of our participants, everyone that participates in this, they have an exceptional day, and they really value the experience. Really, this is about drawing the community to support STARS because this is a very important fundraiser for us”

The fundraisers brought in over $575,000 combined for the critical care STARS provides.

2026 Rescue in the North participant, Canadian Fibre Optics Co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer Jodi Bloomer, says even before she joined in on the fundraiser event, that STARS are heroes.

“I’m just so inspired from being here.”

Canadian Fibre Optics Co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer Jodi Bloomer making calls to fundraise $50,000 for STARS during 2026 Rescue in the North event on October 1, 2026.
Canadian Fibre Optics Co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer Jodi Bloomer making calls to fundraise $50,000 for STARS during 2026 Rescue in the North event on October 1, 2026. (Image Credit: Erika Rolling)

Bloomer says the charity holds a special, personal place in her heart; like many others, she knows people that have been helped in dire situations.

“One (person) in particular, actually a co-founder of our company, he passed away a year and a half ago, but STARS got him to an operating table in Edmonton and gave him a chance.”

She says the cause is very easy to get behind, and the experience of being a participant and seeing operations hands-on was humbling.

The day wrapped up with the “A Night with STARS Grande Prairie gala”, where the local base was celebrated to mark 20 years in the community.

Dr. Froh says the charity is happy to continue serving this region.

“Grande Prairie has been an amazing, supportive community for 20 years and we’re looking forward to the next 20. We understand that when you’re working and playing in areas that are away from cities, that it’s really important to have this lifeline, and we are a lifeline.

by Erika Rolling