STARS Mission Ready returns: A rural teen’s fight for survival

CALGARY, AB, April 16, 2025 – You know STARS does lifesaving work, now hear the moments of a mission unfold in the STARS podcast, Mission Ready, Season 2, presented by ARC Resources — giving listeners an inside look at the critical work STARS carries out every day.

This season is set against the backdrop of rural Saskatchewan and drops the audience into the heart of a real mission; the harrowing rescue of Draidyn Wollmann, a teenager who faced the fight of his life after a devastating incident on a riding lawnmower. STARS crew, Draidyn’s family, and several emergency responders share the extraordinary mission from both sides of the call — underscoring the vital role STARS plays in Western Canada’s emergency response network.

“Each mission we undertake proves the power of teamwork, expertise, and the will to fight for life,” said STARS President and CEO Dr. John Froh. “This season of Mission Ready puts listeners right in the middle of that mission, showing not only the challenges our crews face but also the incredible spirit of the patients and families we serve.”

Co-hosts Deborah Tetley and Lyle Aspinall are back as the voices of Mission Ready — bringing depth and insight to each episode that pulls back the curtain on this gripping rescue.

“This is an incredible behind-the–scenes look at the life-saving skills of STARS and its allies in an emergency response,” said Aspinall, host of the podcast. “We’re immensely grateful to the community and the patient’s family for being so generous in allowing us to tell such a deeply personal story as a way to illustrate STARS’ role in the greater emergency–response network.”

Mission Ready is available at stars.ca/missionready, on all major streaming services or wherever listeners get their podcasts. Episodes 1 and 2 are out now; subsequent episodes will follow on a weekly basis.

For more information about STARS and its life-saving mission, visit www.stars.ca.

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For more information contact:  
Natalie Hofstetter, Regional Communications Team Lead, STARS | mediainfo@stars.ca |  1-866-966-827

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