When the vital medical care you need is 700 km away from home

With inflation rising, more and more people have difficulties keeping up with the higher cost of living; more and more families are now living at, or below, the poverty line; and more and more people have to rely on the services of charitable organizations such as food banks to meet every day needs.

In British Columbia, for those living a long distance from hospitals—or in need of specialized care, the challenges are even greater.

Some patients are unable to attend vital appointments or life-saving treatments, which puts their health and life expectancy at risk.

Hope Air provides free medical travel supports for those who must leave their home communities to access specialized care.

Help us amplify our voices, advocate for change, and affirm our commitment to ensuring that every BC resident deserves equal access to life-saving medical care.

Inequality in healthcare access is a major problem affecting communities across the province and the need for Hope Air’s services has never been greater.

Last year, in British Columbia alone, Hope Air fulfilled 14,132 travel arrangements for patients, supporting hundreds of families and individuals across 196 communities.

As of August 15, we already have fulfilled 17,726 travel arrangements for 1,526 patients across the province, and the need for our services to reach vital medical care continues to grow.

Over one million people in British Columbia live far from specialty medical care provided by leading hospitals. To see our impact across the province and the need in your community and beyond, use our searchable map.

Travel Arrangements

Communities Served

Patient & Caregiver Trips

Better Health. Reduced Poverty. Stronger Communities.

Better Health

Katie, Hope Air patient, Castlegar, BC

“I realized it would be a challenge even before the final diagnosis and had been unsure what I was going to do. I am now living my life to the fullest and thriving thanks to the life-saving surgery I received.Huge thanks to everyone at Hope Air for turning a time of difficulty and challenge into a one of health, growth, gratitude.”

Reduced Poverty

Keith, Hope Air Patient , Prince George, BC

“We don’t have some of the equipment needed here, you have to go to Kelowna or Vancouver. It’s expensive when you’re paying for treatment and to travel to Kelowna or Vancouver. We wondered how we were going to afford it, we were going to have to go regardless, but Hope Air made a big difference”

Stronger Communities

Curtis, Hope Air patient, Jaffray, , BC

“It’s hard… you can’t afford to travel regularly and be away from my family. It’s stressful for all of us. We all feel that it’s important for us not to go too far for too long, If all goes well and I feel better, I can get back to logging and firefighting.”

What would happen if Hope Air no longer existed in British Columbia

And countless other families in need from communities all across the province would go without the medical care they deserve.

Help us make British Columbia stronger and more resilient, sign up to pledge your support to equitable access to healthcare for all residents.

Because WHERE you live should not determine IF you live.