Elk Valley Resources (EVR) and STARS today announced a $500,000 donation by EVR to support STARS’ critical mission operations.

This contribution will help STARS deliver lifesaving critical care and rapid transport for patients in the Elk Valley and nearby communities across southeastern British Columbia.

STARS is a charitable, non-profit organization that exists to provide critical care, anywhere. Whether by air ambulance helicopter, ground transport, or through its innovative virtual care and education programs, STARS delivers advanced medical expertise to patients in urban, rural, and remote communities.

For nearly four decades, STARS has been a lifeline across Western Canada, operating a fleet of medically equipped helicopters and highly trained crews capable of providing intensive care-level treatment at the scene and during transport.

In the past year, STARS flew more than 34 missions in the Regional District of East Kootenay, including 11 missions to the Elk Valley, responding to traumatic injuries, cardiac emergencies, neurological events, and other life-threatening conditions where every second counts.

As the only service of its kind in Western Canada, STARS plays a vital role in ensuring patients in southeastern B.C. can access specialized care quickly, often transporting them directly to advanced care centres when local facilities require additional support.

“STARS is a critical service for the people of the Elk Valley, and we want to help ensure they can continue to respond when our community needs them most,” said Mike Carrucan, chief executive officer of EVR. “Our employees live and work in the Elk Valley, so continuing to support STARS is very important to both EVR and the rest of our community.”

EVR’s contribution will help sustain STARS’ 24/7 operations, including recruiting and retaining highly skilled pilots, critical care paramedics, nurses, and physicians; maintaining and equipping its state-of-the-art aircraft; investing in advanced medical technology and specialized monitoring equipment; and ensuring rapid response capabilities throughout the region. STARS aircraft function as flying intensive care units, bringing hospital-level care directly to patients when time and distance are critical factors.

“We are deeply grateful to Elk Valley Resources for this extraordinary gift and for standing with us as a trusted ally,” said Dr. John Froh, President & CEO of STARS. “Support like this makes it possible for STARS to be there for people in the East Kootenay when they need us most. We are proud to serve the Elk Valley and surrounding communities, and this investment helps ensure our teams can continue delivering critical care, wherever and whenever it’s needed.”

For residents of the Elk Valley and southeastern B.C., this investment represents more than funding — it is a commitment to ensuring that when the unexpected happens, expert critical care is only minutes away.

e-KNOW file photo

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