You know, we've only had this critical service in our province for 9 years and they've carried out more than 7600 missions to more than 500 communities.  They answered 884 emergency calls last year alone.   

They are the women and men at STARS air ambulance.  They are pilots, paramedics and nurses.  Some of our very best people who are ready every day, 24 hours a day, to answer emergency calls. 

STARS employs about 90 people - full and part-time - and it costs about $10.5 million a year to run a base.  We have two of them. 

We use the money to pay our people and for educational programming, medical and aviation equipment, fuel and maintenance for the aircraft along with equipment updates. 

We're asking for your assistance during this, the Critical Care on the Air Radiothon on 800 CHAB.  You can donate online at CriticalCareontheAir.ca or by telephone - 1 877-507-8277.  That's 1-877-50-STARS. 

And we thank you.