Hope Air Launches 2025 Haul for Hope with WestJet and Porter Airlines as Presenting Sponsors
TORONTO, August 25, 2025 – Hope Air is proud to announce the return of its national fundraising event, Haul for Hope, taking place in 6 cities across Canada this fall. This year’s campaign is expanding its impact, with WestJet returning as the Presenting Sponsor for Western Canada and Porter Airlines deepening their support as Presenting Sponsor for Eastern Canada, demonstrating their shared commitment to ensuring no Canadian is left behind when it comes to accessing medical care.
Now entering its third year, Haul for Hope has grown from a two-city pilot to a national movement that brings together airport communities, airlines, and passionate corporate teams to support patients in financial need who must travel far from home for medical treatment.
In 2025, Haul for Hope events will be hosted in six cities across Canada, where teams of up to 15 people will haul 67,000 lbs of heavy machinery 75metres — a symbolic nod to the enormous challenges many Hope Air patients face when accessing healthcare. The pull is more than a test of strength; it’s a powerful display of compassion, teamwork, and community impact.
WestJet, a long-time partner of Hope Air, continues to build on its success the past couple years with Haul for Hope events scheduled in Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, and Vancouver. WestJet’s support helps thousands of patients in Western Canada and across the country travel for care they otherwise couldn’t access.
“WestJet is proud to further cement our partnership with Hope Air as the Presenting Sponsor for all four Haul for Hope Events across Western Canada this year,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech CEO of WestJet. “Since our partnership began in 2007, WestJet has supported Hope Air with more than 24,000 flights to assist Canadians in need of vital medical care, a testament to the extraordinary impact of this partnership.”
In the East, Porter Airlines, a committed Hope Air partner for more than a decade, is the Presenting Sponsor for Eastern Canada, leading the Toronto and St Johns Haul for Hope events. Through Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and growing connections across Eastern Canada, Porter ensures vital access to healthcare for patients traveling to major medical centres.
“Expanding our support of Hope Air and Haul for Hope across Eastern Canada helps create awareness for even more communities,” said Michael Deluce, CEO of Porter Airlines. “Porter is deeply committed to bridging the gap between home and hospital for patients in need wherever we fly.”
Haul for Hope comes at a critical time for Hope Air. The charity has experienced year over year record breaking numbers, reaching over 45,000 travel arrangements provided to patients in 2024. Demand this year continues projecting an increase of 10% in travel arrangements and 7% increase inpatients served.
“WestJet and Porter, as presenting sponsors and our two largest in-kind supporters of patients, have helped to grow Haul for Hope into a truly national platform for hope and healing,” said Mark Rubinstein, CEO of Hope Air. “This event is about more than strength; it’s about standing together so that distance and dollars never determine a patient’s chance at care.”
Whether pulling planes, donating, or cheering from the sidelines, Canadians are invited to take part in Haul for Hope. Corporate teams, airport partners, and individuals alike are encouraged to register and help raise critical funds.
For event dates, locations, and registration details, visit hopeair.ca/haul.
About Hope Air
Hope Air is Canada’s national charity dedicated to providing free flights and accommodations for low-income Canadians, who must travel long distances to access medical specialty care. Hope Air eliminates barriers of distance and cost so that patients in financial need, can travel to access the best available treatment for many life-threatening health conditions. Founded in 1986, Hope Air has facilitated over 235,980 travel arrangements across over 640 communities.
Media Contact:
Jodi Lumsden
Director, Marketing Communications
Hope Air
jlumsden@hopeair.ca
Now entering its third year, Haul for Hope has grown from a two-city pilot to a national movement that brings together airport communities, airlines, and passionate corporate teams to support patients in financial need who must travel far from home for medical treatment.
In 2025, Haul for Hope events will be hosted in six cities across Canada, where teams of up to 15 people will haul 67,000 lbs of heavy machinery 75metres — a symbolic nod to the enormous challenges many Hope Air patients face when accessing healthcare. The pull is more than a test of strength; it’s a powerful display of compassion, teamwork, and community impact.
WestJet, a long-time partner of Hope Air, continues to build on its success the past couple years with Haul for Hope events scheduled in Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, and Vancouver. WestJet’s support helps thousands of patients in Western Canada and across the country travel for care they otherwise couldn’t access.
“WestJet is proud to further cement our partnership with Hope Air as the Presenting Sponsor for all four Haul for Hope Events across Western Canada this year,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech CEO of WestJet. “Since our partnership began in 2007, WestJet has supported Hope Air with more than 24,000 flights to assist Canadians in need of vital medical care, a testament to the extraordinary impact of this partnership.”
In the East, Porter Airlines, a committed Hope Air partner for more than a decade, is the Presenting Sponsor for Eastern Canada, leading the Toronto and St Johns Haul for Hope events. Through Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and growing connections across Eastern Canada, Porter ensures vital access to healthcare for patients traveling to major medical centres.
“Expanding our support of Hope Air and Haul for Hope across Eastern Canada helps create awareness for even more communities,” said Michael Deluce, CEO of Porter Airlines. “Porter is deeply committed to bridging the gap between home and hospital for patients in need wherever we fly.”
Haul for Hope comes at a critical time for Hope Air. The charity has experienced year over year record breaking numbers, reaching over 45,000 travel arrangements provided to patients in 2024. Demand this year continues projecting an increase of 10% in travel arrangements and 7% increase inpatients served.
“WestJet and Porter, as presenting sponsors and our two largest in-kind supporters of patients, have helped to grow Haul for Hope into a truly national platform for hope and healing,” said Mark Rubinstein, CEO of Hope Air. “This event is about more than strength; it’s about standing together so that distance and dollars never determine a patient’s chance at care.”
Whether pulling planes, donating, or cheering from the sidelines, Canadians are invited to take part in Haul for Hope. Corporate teams, airport partners, and individuals alike are encouraged to register and help raise critical funds.
For event dates, locations, and registration details, visit hopeair.ca/haul.
About Hope Air
Hope Air is Canada’s national charity dedicated to providing free flights and accommodations for low-income Canadians, who must travel long distances to access medical specialty care. Hope Air eliminates barriers of distance and cost so that patients in financial need, can travel to access the best available treatment for many life-threatening health conditions. Founded in 1986, Hope Air has facilitated over 235,980 travel arrangements across over 640 communities.
Media Contact:
Jodi Lumsden
Director, Marketing Communications
Hope Air
jlumsden@hopeair.ca