Kelly Waldron

As I took my daughter to her first day of Kindergarten, I realized this was something I never would have had the opportunity to do, had it not been for STARS.

You see, I am STARS’ first Very Important Patient.

STARS and I were born on the same day — Dec. 1, 1985.

My mother was 27 weeks pregnant when she went into early labour with me and my twin brother. I was born black-and-blue from head to toe with no detectable heartbeat. My parents were told they would never see me alive. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that I would not be here today had it not been for Dr. Greg Powell’s life-saving idea, which had just been established in Alberta.

That one flight from Lethbridge to Calgary saved a baby who would grow up to travel the world, co-operate my own accounting firm with two other ladies; and, most importantly, get married and have two beautiful daughters of my own that I can’t imagine life without.

My family kept in touch with the Powells over the years; you could say I grew up with STARS in my eyes! So, with my parents and husband in on a surprise, Dr. Powell and his wife Linda came by my house one Sunday in the spring of 2019.

I’d been told STARS was coming to shoot a promotional video for the fleet renewal campaign, but when the Powells handed me a package to open, I didn’t quite know what was going on. It was a picture of one of the new helicopters with the five-letter registration mark “C-GKLY.” Dr. Powell explained that all aircraft in Canada start with C-G or C-F and then the remaining letters can be customized.

I can honestly say it took me a few minutes to understand what was happening, but once I realized that “KLY” stood for my name, Kelly, a rush of emotions hit me.

STARS Very Important Patient Kelly Waldron sits on the foot rail of one of the first Airbus H145 helicopter air ambulance received at the STARS Calgary Base in April 2019. The helicopter bears the registration C-GKLY honouring Kelly's important position in the company's history.

I remember feeling that I don’t deserve this; that I was only the first patient. STARS saved me — it should be me honouring STARS, not the other way around!

To this day, I still can’t believe it. It is such a special honour.

STARS Very Important Patient sits on a swing with her daughters and husband behind her.

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