Hope Air, a charity providing free travel for low-income Canadians needing medical care, is celebrating its annual Hope Air Day today with a virtual event on Facebook at 3 p.m. Pacific time.
The event highlights the importance of equitable access to healthcare, especially for patients from rural and underserved communities who must travel long distances for essential medical treatment.
Hope Air’s senior digital marketing coordinator, Christine Stolte, shares that the charity arranged 32,497 travel arrangements in 2024 for 5,973 patients and caregivers, including 9,127 flights and 10,652 hotel nights in British Columbia. Northern B.C. alone accounted for 50 per cent of this patient travel.
While the most popular routes in British Columbia included Prince George, Terrace, and Fort St. John to Vancouver, northern B.C.’s most frequently travelled routes were Smithers, Prince Rupert, and Fort Nelson to Vancouver.
Seventy three per cent of all patients who used Hope Air had household incomes below $45,000. Eighty seven per cent of these patients had no other viable travel options.
“Rural health is only as strong as the connections we build between community and care. Hope Air bridges that gap for thousands of B.C. residents each year, making timely access to specialized treatments possible for people who need it most,” said Paul Adams, executive director of BC Rural Health Network.
Stolte shares that since its founding in 1986, Hope Air has arranged more than 235,980 travel support for over 25,000 patients in about 640 communities across Canada.
Today’s event will feature stories from patients, volunteers, and supporters who help bridge the gap between home and hospital. It will also include a live concert by country music artist Cory Marks, streamed from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Apart from free flights, the charity provides accommodations, meal vouchers, and ground transportation to Canadians who otherwise cannot afford it. Individuals in need can visit their website to learn more about accessing the available resources.
Watch the event: Hope Air Day on Facebook
