Musqueam Territory / Richmond, B.C (September 22, 2026): More than $125,000 was donated to Hope Air during its fourth annual Haul for Hope event hosted at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) today. The event included teams from YVR as well as businesses across the airport and Metro Vancouver who came together to raise funds for Hope Air and compete for the fastest time in pulling a WestJet Q400 aircraft 100 metres.

The effort to pull a 67,000lb-aircraft is a powerful symbol of the journey many Hope Air patients must undertake to access critical medical care far from home.

“YVR keeps our province and our country connected—to economic opportunity, to one another and, in moments that matter most, to vital medical care. We are proud to stand with Hope Air to help ensure distance does not stand between British Columbians and the care they need,” said Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO of Vancouver International Airport.

Last year, Hope Air completed more than 5,594 travel arrangements at YVR. The impact of that connection was shared at the event by Devon and his mother, Vanessa, from Kamloops, B.C. Devon was diagnosed with acute advanced Crohn’s disease at age 11 and continues to travel from Kamloops to BC Children’s Hospital for specialized care. Shortly after, Vanessa was diagnosed with Stage 3 uterine cancer, leaving the family managing two serious medical conditions while travelling for treatment. Hope Air-supported flights and ground transportation have helped reduce travel time, costs, stress and missed school days.

“Hope Air came at a critical time for our family,” said Vanessa. “Flying to medical appointments rather than driving meant more time for work, school, friends and family. That gave Devon more time to be a boy and for us to be a family.”

“Forty years ago, Hope Air was founded on a simple belief: where you live should not determine whether you can access the healthcare you need,” said Mark Rubinstein, Chief Hope Officer, Hope Air. “Families like Devon and Vanessa’s show us why that mission remains so important today. When specialized care is hundreds of kilometres from home, getting there can become another challenge for a family already facing a serious medical diagnosis. We are incredibly grateful to WestJet, YVR and every team taking part in Haul for Hope for helping patients overcome that distance and focus on what matters most—their health.”

“WestJet is proud to stand alongside Hope Air as a long-time partner, helping connect Canadians to essential healthcare for more than 30 years,” said Christina Iversen, Director, External Affairs, WestJet Group.

Hope Air is Canada’s only national charity providing support through flights, accommodations, meal vouchers and ground transportation to Canadians in financial need, who must travel to reach medical care far from home. All funds raised from Haul for Hope will go towards its mission of ensuring no Canadian is left behind when it comes to accessing critical healthcare.

The team from Neptune Terminals pulled the plane in 32.93 seconds, becoming the 2026 Haul for Hope champions. YVR matched all funds raised by its four employee teams, for a total donation of over $39,000.00.

For more information please contact:
YVR Media Contact:
YVR Media Relations
604-880-9815
media_relations@yvr.ca

Hope Air Media Contact:
Jodi Lumsden
Director, Marketing Communications
647-688-5634
jlumsden@hopeair.ca

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About YVR
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is a diverse global hub that connects people, cargo, data, and ideas and serves as a platform for our community to come together and thrive. We are motivated by supporting regional economic development and making a positive difference in the lives of British Columbians. We do this with a focus on serving our passengers, partners, workers, and community through digital modernization, climate leadership, reconciliation, and financial sustainability.

About Hope Air
Hope Air is Canada’s only national charity providing free travel, accommodations, meals and ground transportation for Canadians in financial need who must access medical care far from home. Since its inception in 1986, Hope Air has provided more than 200,000 travel arrangements for patients regardless of age or medical need.

For people living on a low income in small and rural communities, distance and cost are very real barriers to them accessing vital medical care. Hope Air is a unique and essential part of our Canadian healthcare system. Without the access Hope Air provides, our national system of universal healthcare coverage would fall short of its promise.