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Hope Air – the national charity that provides Canadians in financial need with free travel and accommodations to access medical care far from home – announced it is honouring Bearskin Airlines with the 2019 Hope Air Outstanding Philanthropist Award.
Since 1988, Bearskin Airlines has been a valuable Hope Air partner by getting thousands of Canadians to the medical care they need. From 2009 to October 2019, Bearskin has provided more than 2,000 donated flights for Hope Air patients.
The airline recently received the award at the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) 2019 conference and tradeshow held in Montreal, Que.
The Outstanding Philanthropist Award is presented to an ATAC member who has shown exemplary commitment to ensuring equal access to medical care for patients in need across the country. It celebrates philanthropic leadership that plays a key role in bridging the gap between home and lifesaving care for so many Canadians.
“Bearskin Airlines is a loyal and very generous airline partner,” said Hope Air chief executive officer Doug Keller-Hobson. “For over a decade, they have been a great champion for our cause and helped many people living in Ontario and Manitoba access the vital medical care they deserve. We are very grateful for their support.”
“We don’t believe that a lack of financial means should limit someone from receiving the healthcare they require,” commented Ron Hell, director of Marketing and Revenue Management. “If a flight with Bearskin Airlines can provide access to specialized care not available in the north, we are proud to be able to help in that way and we have been doing it since 1988.”
The award was accepted by Trevor Gavinchuk, director of Eastern Operations, “We are extremely proud to be recognized by Hope Air,” he said. “Our support for this program is only one of many ways we give back to the communities that support us.”
Since 1986, Hope Air has provided more than 145,000 travel arrangements to Canadians in financial need seeking treatment outside of their home communities.
