(Submitted photo/STARS Air Ambulance)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

STARS

Chamber of commerce hears from STARS

May 14, 2019 | 3:26 PM

The Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce was able to learn about STARS Air Ambulance Tuesday afternoon at a lunch event.

Members received the opportunity to hear from a representative from the ambulance service, who spoke to those assembled about what they do on a day-to-day basis and how the organization funds itself. The crowd also was given the chance to hear from Wade Cassidy, who had to use the service eight months ago.

“When you live in the city, you don’t really think about air ambulance … but you’re not always in the city, I do a lot of travelling through the province for work and then we’ve got a place up at the lake,” he said.

It was at his cottage situated near Chitek Lake, while working with his cousin to take out a dock that the 42 year-old suffered a heart attack. Spiritwood Ambulance responded and it was determined the father of two needed to get to Saskatoon as soon as possible, which prompted a call to STARS. Cassidy currently resides in Saskatoon but is originally from Prince Albert.

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Wade Cassidy speaks to those assembled about his experience with STARS. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

“I pretty much owe everything to STARS, I said in my speech, my story would have ended that day if it wasn’t for STARS,” he said.

The STARS crew were able to get Cassidy to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, where doctors were able to perform surgery and save his life. After this personal experience, Cassidy set out to help the organization in its mission.

“I was so grateful and thankful for everybody at STARS for what they were able to do and to get me back into the city for surgery, I just put my name out there, if there’s anything you ever need, fundraising or speaking whatever I can do to help out,” he said.

Tammy Beauregard, development officer with STARS, said the organization likes to host events like the one Tuesday afternoon to not only raise money, but also to make sure people are aware of what they do.

“We’re more than just a red helicopter that’s in the sky,” she said.

She explained people tend to be aware about STARS being an ambulance service, but not so much aware about how the organization’s helicopters are flying intensive care units that include a highly trained and skilled staff.

In total it costs around $20 million for the service to operate in the province. Half the money for operations comes from the provincial government; while STARS has to fundraise the other half. Going forward, Beauregard said they have a specific focus.

“Right now our major priority is our missions and operations,” she said.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn