Thirty nine Saskatchewan radio stations are taking part in a two-day radiothon to raise money for STARS air ambulance.

STARS carries out an average of 10 missions per day across Western Canada and flew 1,075 missions in Saskatchewan in the last year alone. STARS flew over 1,000 missions from their Saskatoon and Regina bases during the 2021-22 fiscal year.

STARS’ chief fundraising and brand officer describes STARS as more than a helicopter. Terri Strunk says, “Through our Emergency Link Centre, we field roughly 99 emergency calls for service every day across Saskatchewan and Western Canada. We contribute to critical care virtually, every day, thousands of times in a year.”

The provincial government provides approximately 50 per cent of the funds needed to operate STARS in Saskatchewan, and the STARS Foundation must raise the remaining $10 million annually through fundraisers like Critical Care on the Air.