STARS’ CRITICAL CARE ON THE AIR RADIOTHON PRESENTED BY BHP AND P&H RAISES OVER $475,000

ALBERTA, SASKATCHEWAN, MANITOBA, APRIL 9, 2026 – On April 7 and 8, more than 90 radio stations across six broadcasters came together in support of Critical Care on the Air radiothon (CCOTA), presented by BHP and Parrish & Heimbecker. The annual event raised over $475,000 in support of providing critical care, anywhere.

“STARS was built by the community, for the community. The support of STARS allies and sponsors coming together for CCOTA truly exemplifies the power of that community,” said Jeri-Lynn Johnston, vice-president of foundation at STARS. “It is a full-circle moment for our former patients to reconnect through fundraising. Because of events like this, we can help patients—like those who shared their harrowing stories—have access to timely critical care when seconds matter most.”

Over the two-day broadcast, listeners heard powerful stories of resilience from STARS Very Important Patients (VIPs), as well as from the STARS air medical crew and pilots, who provided critical care on their missions. VIPs Trevor Mills, Joel Irwin, Dawson Mollenbeck, Chad Rogers, Dominique Wiebe, and Beckham Koscielny, gave listeners insight to the real-life impact STARS has on patients who require immediate emergency care.

“To STARS donors, thank you,” said Trevor Mills, STARS VIP. “Those donations helped me see my son and my daughter graduate in the last couple of years. Without that support, maybe I wouldn’t have been able to see that. I’ll forever be thankful for the support that comes to STARS.”

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of CCOTA presenting sponsors BHP and Parrish & Heimbecker, who each contributed $50,000 in support of the campaign, along with numerous other sponsors who worked to make this event a success.

CCOTA is expected to return in 2027. Learn more about STARS and make a donation at stars.ca.

For more information or interviews:

Kate Langille, Communications Specialist, STARS | mediainfo@stars.ca | 1-866-966-8277 | stars.ca

ABOUT STARS
STARS is a charity, 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 many patients’ best hope in a worst-case scenario. Thanks to support from generous community partners, we provide critical care—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 or donate at STARS.CA