SANTA’S SLEIGH BREAKS, STARS STEPS IN TO HELP – FLYING SANTA TO THE ALBERTA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

CALGARY, DEC. 1, 2025 – On his scheduled trip to the Alberta Children’s Hospital (ACH), Santa’s sleigh broke down. But not to fret, STARS and their partners came to the rescue. Proudly presented by TC Energy, STARS flew Santa to ACH in their backup air ambulance helicopter to deliver gifts and festive cheer to children who need it most.

The Calgary Police Service escorted Santa with their HAWCS helicopter, while the Calgary Fire Department helped Santa land safely, and in style. Inside the hospital, anticipation built as children waited at the windows, watching the bright red STARS aircraft descend. When Santa stepped through the doors, the room lit up with excitement as kids greeted their holiday hero and received presents.

“Every day, we deliver essential critical care to Albertans. Today, we are extremely fortunate to give back in a different way—by supporting kids at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, and flying Santa right to their doorstep,” said Mike Lamacchia, Chief Operating Officer of Provincial Operations, STARS. “We are grateful for the opportunity to work together with our partners in healthcare to celebrate the holidays and bring our community together, creating something special.”

This special flight was made possible by TC Energy, the event’s presenting sponsor.

“For more than three decades, our Build Strong program has proudly partnered with STARS to strengthen communities and support their lifesaving work across western Canada,” said Kaili Kasper, Director of Social Impact, External Relations, TC Energy. “We’re honoured to help bring the Santa flight to the Alberta Children’s Hospital and celebrate the power of connection that delivers hope and holiday magic to children and their families.”

The Alberta Children’s Hospital provides specialized care for children and families facing health challenges. Offering a comprehensive range of services, the hospital ensures children have 24/7 access to the care they need close to home.

“At the Alberta Children’s Hospital, we strive to provide compassionate care that supports not only the medical needs of children but their emotional well-being too. Experiences like today’s Santa visit bring moments of joy to families during challenging times. Seeing the excitement as Santa arrived by helicopter was truly special, and we’re grateful to STARS and their partners for making this magical day possible,” said JoAnn Beckie, Senior Operating Officer at Alberta Children’s Hospital.

With his sleigh repaired, Santa is now back on his way to the North Pole to prepare for Christmas Eve, but the joy shared today will be remembered by the children and families at ACH for years to come. To learn more about STARS, visit stars.ca.

For STARS Photo and Video content, please visit: photo library | CleanPix. And keep an eye out for a special STARS Santa video coming your way in the next few days.

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For more information contact:
Kate Langille, Communications Specialist, STARS | mediainfo@stars.ca | 1-866-966-8277

About STARS
STARS was born from the conviction that no one should go without the care that could save their life. Operating 24/7 from bases in Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg, STARS is your best hope in a worst-case scenario. If you need critical care, our mission is to be there for you—physically or virtually—in whatever capacity we can help. Because when it comes to the next patient who needs us, it’s never too far. Learn more at stars.ca