Haul for Hope Makes its St. John’s Debut on September 12 at St. John’s International Airport
St. John’s, NL — September 5, 2025 – Haul for Hope, Hope Air’s signature national fundraising event, is coming to St. John’s, NL for the first time on September 12, 2025, hosted by St. John’s International Airport.
At Haul for Hope, teams of 10-12 participants will haul a 67,000 lb firetruck 75 metres, a symbolic nod to the enormous challenges many Hope Air patients face when accessing medical care. The event is not just about strength, but about compassion, teamwork, and community impact, and uniting the community in support of patients who must travel far from home for vital medical care.
Haul for Hope has grown from a two-city event in 2023 to a 6-city national event, rallying airport communities, airlines, and corporate teams to support patients who must travel far from home for vital medical care.
“St. John’s International Airport is thrilled to host Haul for Hope for the first time,” said Dennis Hogan, CEO, St. John’s International Airport Authority. “This event brings our community together to support Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who face incredible challenges traveling for medical care, and we are proud to play a role in making a difference.”
Haul for Hope comes at a critical time. In 2024, Hope Air arranged over 45,000 travel arrangements for patients nationally, the highest number in its history. Demand continues to grow, with 2025 projections showing a 7% increase in patients served. Last year, Hope Air provided over 2,100 travel arrangements for patients and caregivers from Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Bringing Haul for Hope to St. John’s for the first time is an exciting step in this national movement,” says Mark Rubinstein, Chief Hope Officer at Hope Air. “Together with the community, we are ensuring that distance and financial barriers never stand in the way of essential medical care.”
Porter Airlines, a long-time partner of Hope Air, is the Presenting Sponsor for Eastern Canada, supporting Haul for Hope events in both Toronto and St. John’s. Their support ensures that patients in Atlantic Canada and across the country can access medical appointments they might otherwise be unable to reach.
Whether pulling the firetruck, donating, or cheering from the sidelines, residents of St. John’s and beyond 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 patients in need.
Event Details
Date: Friday, September 12, 2025
Location: St. John’s International Airport (YYT)
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Photo Opportunity: Mark Rubinstein, CEO of Hope Air; Jaclyn Sullivan, Director of External Relations, Atlantic Canada; Dennis Hogan, CEO, St. John’s International Airport Authority and attending Hope Air patient.
For more information or to register your team, visit hopeair.ca/haul
Hope Air would like to thank all sponsors, hosts and partners including:
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 and Engagement
Hope Air
Jlumsden@hopeair.ca
At Haul for Hope, teams of 10-12 participants will haul a 67,000 lb firetruck 75 metres, a symbolic nod to the enormous challenges many Hope Air patients face when accessing medical care. The event is not just about strength, but about compassion, teamwork, and community impact, and uniting the community in support of patients who must travel far from home for vital medical care.
Haul for Hope has grown from a two-city event in 2023 to a 6-city national event, rallying airport communities, airlines, and corporate teams to support patients who must travel far from home for vital medical care.
“St. John’s International Airport is thrilled to host Haul for Hope for the first time,” said Dennis Hogan, CEO, St. John’s International Airport Authority. “This event brings our community together to support Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who face incredible challenges traveling for medical care, and we are proud to play a role in making a difference.”
Haul for Hope comes at a critical time. In 2024, Hope Air arranged over 45,000 travel arrangements for patients nationally, the highest number in its history. Demand continues to grow, with 2025 projections showing a 7% increase in patients served. Last year, Hope Air provided over 2,100 travel arrangements for patients and caregivers from Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Bringing Haul for Hope to St. John’s for the first time is an exciting step in this national movement,” says Mark Rubinstein, Chief Hope Officer at Hope Air. “Together with the community, we are ensuring that distance and financial barriers never stand in the way of essential medical care.”
Porter Airlines, a long-time partner of Hope Air, is the Presenting Sponsor for Eastern Canada, supporting Haul for Hope events in both Toronto and St. John’s. Their support ensures that patients in Atlantic Canada and across the country can access medical appointments they might otherwise be unable to reach.
Whether pulling the firetruck, donating, or cheering from the sidelines, residents of St. John’s and beyond 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 patients in need.
Event Details
Date: Friday, September 12, 2025
Location: St. John’s International Airport (YYT)
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Photo Opportunity: Mark Rubinstein, CEO of Hope Air; Jaclyn Sullivan, Director of External Relations, Atlantic Canada; Dennis Hogan, CEO, St. John’s International Airport Authority and attending Hope Air patient.
For more information or to register your team, visit hopeair.ca/haul
Hope Air would like to thank all sponsors, hosts and partners including:
- WestJet as presenting partner in Western Canada.
- Porter as presenting partner in Eastern Canada.
- YVR and Keyera as site presenting sponsors.
- Uber Canada and Pratt & Whitney as Gold Sponsors.
- De Havilland, Plusgrade, PortsToronto, Infinite Investment Systems, Nieuport Aviation as Silver Sponsors.
- Rogers as Bronze Sponsor.
- Hosted by St. John’s International Airport Authority in St. John’s on September 12
- Hosted by Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in Toronto on September 13.
- YVR as host and site presenting sponsor in Vancouver, hosted at Signature Aviation on September 16.
- Hosted by the KF Centre for Excellence in Kelowna on September 18.
- Keyera, Site Presenting Sponsor at YEG in Edmonton on September 22.
- Hosted by YYC and Signature Aviation in Calgary on September 24.
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 and Engagement
Hope Air
Jlumsden@hopeair.ca