The Lloydminster Hospital helipad which serves to transport patients from the Border City and area to hospitals in Edmonton and Saskatoon is nearing its 100th flight.
The Border City is served by the STARS bases in both Edmonton and Saskatoon. The helipad has been operating since December 16th, 2018. It has seen 97 missions to date and was officially opened in June 2019.
Going further back, STARS has been flying to the Lloydminster Airport from Edmonton since June 15th, 2010. As of April 25th this year, there have been 192 missions flown.
STARS noted that their helicopters are often described as flying ICUs with critical care paramedics and nurses who begin administering vital care right away and are overseen by transport physicians on every mission.
STARS Air Ambulance recently held its second annual Critical Care on the Air radiothon raising more than $403,000. The event was held over April 13th and 14th.
STARS says the money raised by the radiothon will help ensure they remain available 24/7 to help those living, working or playing in Saskatchewan. The funds will help purchase items like new butterfly ultrasound machines for their helicopters.
In celebrating the achievement, organizers expressed their gratitude for all the community support and detailed their work in the Lloydminster area.