EDMONTON, AB – September 25, 2026 – On September 28, Edmonton teams will attempt to move a 67,000-pound WestJet aircraft 100 metres across the tarmac at Edmonton International Airport. But the distance at the heart of the challenge is much greater.

For patients across Northern Alberta, the Territories and rural communities, specialized medical care can be hundreds or even thousands of kilometres from home. Edmonton is an important gateway to that care—and for some patients, only one stop in an even longer medical journey.

One in three Hope Air patients say they would cancel or postpone medical care without the organization’s support. For families already dealing with a serious diagnosis, the cost of flights, accommodations, meals and transportation can turn distance into a barrier to receiving treatment.

That is the challenge behind Hope Air’s Haul for Hope, presented by WestJet, returning to Edmonton International Airport for its third year. Teams from Edmonton’s aviation and business communities will race against the clock to pull the aircraft 100 metres, raising funds to help patients make much longer journeys to care.

WestJet returns as Presenting Sponsor of Haul for Hope across Western Canada, continuing a relationship with Hope Air that spans the airline’s 30-year history. The event comes during a milestone year for both organizations, with WestJet celebrating 30 years and Hope Air celebrating 40 years of helping Canadians overcome the distance to healthcare.

“Access to healthcare shouldn’t depend on where you live,” said Jared Mikoch-Gerke, Director, Alliances and Airport Affairs, WestJet Group. “Through our long-standing partnership with Hope Air, we’ve seen firsthand the difference travel can make for Canadians requiring medical care. We look forward to bringing Haul for Hope to Edmonton for the third year to raise critical funds for patients and caregivers who must travel to access vital medical care.”

For Edmonton International Airport, Haul for Hope also highlights the important role aviation plays in connecting northern and rural communities with healthcare. For a patient who lives hours from specialized treatment, an airport can be much more than a place to travel—it can be the connection that makes getting to care possible.

“For many who travel through Edmonton International Airport, it’s where hope, healing and health begin.” said Myron Keehn, President & CEO, Edmonton International Airport. “We see firsthand what it means to be a lifeline for patients who depend on air travel to reach critical medical care far from home. We’re proud to support Haul for Hope alongside WestJet and this community, because when everyone pulls in the same direction, we can get a patient exactly where they need to go.”

“Every patient we support has a destination they need to reach—a cancer treatment, surgery, specialist appointment or follow-up—and distance should never be the reason they can’t get there,” said Mark Rubinstein, Chief Hope Officer, Hope Air. “Edmonton is an important gateway to healthcare for patients across northern and rural communities. When WestJet, Edmonton International Airport and this community get behind Haul for Hope, they are helping turn thousands of kilometres into a journey a patient can actually make.”

Every dollar raised through Haul for Hope helps Hope Air provide free flights, accommodations, meals and ground transportation to Canadians in financial need who must travel for medical care.

The aircraft moves 100 metres. Your support can help a patient travel hundreds or thousands of kilometres to reach care.

A special thank you to the national sponsors supporting all six 2026 Haul for Hope events in Kelowna, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and St. John’s:

WestJet, Porter, YVR, Uber Canada, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, Calgary International Airport, Pratt & Whitney Canada, CDW Canada, Signature Aviation, Stolport, Nieuport Aviation, Toronto Port Authority and Edmonton International Airport.

ABOUT HOPE AIR
Hope Air is Canada’s national charity providing free flights, accommodations, meals and ground transportation for Canadians in financial need who must travel long distances to access medical care.

In 2025, Hope Air provided 38,392 medical travel services, supporting 10,288 patient and escort trips and 14,433 flights across 710 communities.

For Hope Air patients, the financial barrier to medical travel can be significant:

• 58% would delay or cancel needed medical care if they had to pay more than $500 to travel for treatment.
• The average annual household income is $40,000.
• A patient would pay approximately $2,600 per trip without Hope Air support.
• Patients supported by Hope Air reported a 36% reduction in hospital admissions and a 27% reduction in emergency department visits. For more information, visit hopeair.ca.
  
  HOPE AIR MEDIA CONTACT
  Jodi Lumsden,
  Director, Marketing & Engagement
  jlumsden@hopeair.ca