BASF helps save lives, renew STARS fleet

WESTERN, CANADA, July 18, 2022 – Completion of STARS’ multi-year initiative to renew its aging helicopter fleet is one step closer to becoming a reality, thanks to a $500,000 gift from BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions, announced today at the STARS base in Saskatoon.

The donation will be used by STARS for mission operations as well as to help purchase medically equipped Airbus H145 helicopters at a cost of $13 million each. The new helicopters will help STARS deliver vital care to patients across the Prairies and parts of British Columbia for the next 30 years or more.

“At BASF, we are committed to building safe and healthy communities across Canada, which is why supporting STARS was a natural fit,” said Jonathan Sweat, Vice President, BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions. “The investment we’re making today will ensure that farming communities across Western Canada continue to have access to critical care for years to come.”

“Thank you to BASF for your generous donation,” said Premier Scott Moe. “It is amazing to know that in those moments of crisis, such as an accident or medical emergency, the incredible team at STARS is able to provide their lifesaving services across Saskatchewan because of the incredible generosity we are seeing today.”

Saskatchewan grower Adair O’Grady is reminded of the importance of STARS and gifts like this one from BASF, as he looks forward to another season ahead. STARS was able to fight for Adair’s life by providing critical care and transport after he sustained life-threatening injuries while seeding in 2015.

“Thank you to the agricultural community for stepping up to support STARS,” said O’Grady. “If STARS wasn’t here, my outcome would have been totally different.”

STARS has been flying missions in the new Airbus H145 helicopters since mid-2019, thanks to government, community and corporate support of an ambitious capital campaign. The remainder of the new fleet is being implemented at all six of its bases this year.

“We’re so grateful for the support of our allies in the agriculture sector, as we serve the same areas they serve – where growers, suppliers and their families live, work and play,” said Andrea Robertson, STARS President and CEO.

“These new helicopters are a generational investment in our ability to fight for the lives of Western Canadians for decades to come, and the generous contribution from BASF will help ensure we can be there for the next patient who needs us. From the bottom of our hearts: thank you.”

For more information about STARS’ fleet renewal project please visit FIGHTINFLIGHT.CA.

STARS Media Contact:
Mark Oddan
(306) 291-0110
mediainfo@stars.ca

ABOUT BASF’S AGRICULTURAL SOLUTIONS DIVISION

BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, has over 625 employees who work at one of three production facilities across Canada including: Lethbridge, Saskatoon, and Regina, or one of several research farms across the Canadian prairies. Agricultural Solutions is the largest division of BASF Canada Inc., working closely with the regional Agricultural Solutions team, collaborating on research and product development that benefits North American growers. To find out more about BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions, visit www.agsolutions.ca or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/BASFAgSolutions.

With a rapidly growing population, the world is increasingly dependent on our ability to develop and maintain sustainable agriculture and healthy environments. Working with farmers, agricultural professionals, pest management experts and others, it is our role to help make this possible. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline and broad portfolio, including seeds and traits, chemical and biological crop protection, soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we connect innovative thinking and down-to-earth action to create real world ideas that work – for farmers, society and the planet. In 2020, our division generated sales of €7.7 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.

ABOUT BASF

BASF Canada Inc., headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, has over 1,200 employees at production facilities and offices located across Canada. BASF Canada is a subsidiary of BASF SE, and an affiliate of BASF Corporation. To find out more about BASF’s activities in Canada, visit www.basf.com/ca or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/basfcanada.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at http://www.basf.com.

ABOUT STARS

Simply put, STARS fights for life. Since we embarked on our first mission in 1985, we’ve been driven by the goal of providing people the vital care they need when they need it the most. Whether it’s offering hands-on training to rural medical providers or providing rapid, emergency medical transportation for the critically ill and injured, we operate 24/7 from bases in Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg, anticipating and acting when people need our help. Learn more at STARS.CA