Our STARS Patients

It doesn’t matter who you are. It doesn’t matter where you are. If you need critical care, our mission is to be there for you in whatever capacity we can help. Every one of our VIPs — Very Important Patients — has a unique story of how STARS was their best hope in a worst-case scenario. We are honoured to share some of their inspirational stories here.

If you are one of our VIPs and would like to meet your crew or share your story, please email us at vip@stars.ca.

Select Stories

Clayton Orr

This STARS Very Important Patient remembers the evening everything changed for him — and the numerous people along the way who worked to ensure he lived to tell about it.

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Portrait of STARS Very Important Patient Clayton Orr

Jenn Oakes

One moment, Jenn was enjoying a beautiful summer day of boating. The next, she was tossed from the boat into the lake, fighting for her life. Jenn’s life changed forever in that instant, but thanks to STARS allies, she was given a second chance.

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Portrait of STARS Very Important Patient Jenn Oakes

Michelle Salt

On June 27, 2011, Michelle’s enjoyment of a summer evening ride with friends came to an abrupt halt when she lost control of her motorbike and hit a guardrail going up the Cochrane Hill.

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Portrait of STARS Very Important Patient Michelle Salt

Peggy Benko

Peggy Benko was busy working in her office when she suddenly collapsed. An ambulance rushed her to the hospital. She’d had a ruptured brain aneurysm and needed immediate surgery, but the nearest availability was a three-hour drive away.

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Portrait of STARS Very Important Patient Peggy Benko with her granddaughters

Chad Rogers

When Chad was run over by a tractor and 907-kg baler, the closest hospital didn’t have the specialized tools needed to save his life. And because he was working in a rural location, time wasn’t on his side either.

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Portrait of STARS Very Important Patient Chad Rogers