Important Notice: Canada Post delays may impact mail—explore other ways to make your life-saving holiday gift to STARS…

Learn More
close
STARS Stories/Patient Stories

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

Sean Rickards

When Sean Rickards became wedged between a semi-truck and an earthmover, it nearly ended his life, but teamwork and skill by everyone who responded fought numerous odds and gave him the second chance he deserved.

read more
STARS Very Important Patient Sean Rickards stands on a worksite where the excavator and dump truck that pinned him work in the background.

Christine Aarsby

For Christine Aarsby, the birth of her daughter Addie had been planned as a joyous day for her and her family. Moments after Addie was born via C-section, the situation worsened after Christine suffered a rare complication.

read more
Portrait of STARS Very Important Patient Christine Aarsby and her daughter Addie as they sit in the side door of a STARS H145

Reyez Rowan

Rapid response and skilled hands make a difference in a traumatic injury. After being involved in a violent incident at school, STARS Very Important Patient Reyez Rowan was quickly cared for by our talented Air Medical Crew. Leveraging years of experience and knowledge, our team worked to stop Reyez’s massive blood loss and get him to surgery. A few weeks later, he walked on to the golf course.

read more
Photo of STARS Very Important Patient Reyez Rowan with his mother Shanise Rowan and the STARS crew that saved his life.

Doug MacTavish

Deep in the rugged mountains of northern B.C., two hunters left their riverside camp in pursuit of stone sheep. Neither could have predicted a major heart attack would derail everything. Reaching and providing critical care to STARS Very Important Patient Doug MacTavish would soon become the focus of the longest helicopter mission ever flown by STARS.

read more
A family portrait of Doug MacTavish and his family.

Willem van Lankvelt

Being out in nature, on his bike, has always been one of Willem van Lankvelt's favourite activities. During what Willem thought was going to be a pleasant afternoon on his bike during a family vacation, his ride took a life-threatening turn when he was struck by a truck.

read more
A portrait of STARS Very Important Patient Willem van Lankvelt, photographed in the crew locker room at the Winnipeg MB STARS base.
Loading

Don’t miss a beat

Stay current on the latest news from STARS by subscribing to our email updates.

STAY CONNECTED WITH STARS