Hope Air Announces New Partnership with AltaGas to Support Patients in Northern British Columbia
PRINCE RUPERT, BC (June 10, 2025) – Hope Air is proud to announce a new partnership with AltaGas, a leading North American energy infrastructure company, to support the delivery of vital medical travel assistance to patients in Northern British Columbia. Through this partnership, AltaGas will provide critical funding for Hope Air’s British Columbia Travel Program, with a special focus on supporting patients from Prince Rupert who must travel long distances to access essential medical care.
AltaGas’ commitment to building healthy and safe communities is rooted in their belief that strengthening the regions where they live and work benefits everyone. The company operates in diverse and often remote communities across Canada and the U.S. and understands that each one faces its own set of challenges. Through their community investment strategy, AltaGas aims to deliver high-impact support where it’s needed most.
“We recognize that people living in remote and rural communities in British Columbia often face significant barriers to accessing healthcare,” said Signi Solmundson, Manager, Indigenous & Community Relations, AltaGas. “By partnering with Hope Air, we are helping reduce those barriers and improve the health and well-being of people in communities like Prince Rupert.”
Hope Air provides free flights, accommodations, and travel support for Canadians in financial need who must travel far from home for medical care. For patients like Simona, a senior living on a fixed income Prince Rupert, this support has been life-changing.
Simona, from Prince Rupert, was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2009. She lives with chronic pain that limits her once-active lifestyle. She’s undergone knee replacement surgery and requires travel for lung cancer treatment. Her limited income only covers essentials like housing and medication, making long trips for medical care nearly impossible without support.
“I was in a situation where I had to choose to pay for medication, or just not take medication and feel terrible and stay in bed all day” said Simona, who pays $600 every two months for plasma therapy injections to manage her condition.
Travelling from Prince Rupert to Vancouver for care is challenging due to distance, weather risks, and financial strain. “Without Hope Air, I probably would’ve had to cancel most of my appointments. I would also have had to choose between my therapy injections or going to see a specialist because it would be too expensive to pay doctors that are qualified to do my treatment.”
Mark Rubinstein, Chief Executive Officer of Hope Air, emphasized the significance of the partnership with AltaGas: “Our work is only possible through the generous support of partners like AltaGas, who recognize the urgent need for accessible healthcare in remote communities. Together, we are closing the gap for patients in Northern B.C., ensuring they can reach the care they need without being burdened by impossible travel costs.”
About Hope Air:
Hope Air is the Canadian national charity that provides free flights and accommodations for Canadians who must travel far from home to reach medical care. We believe that where you live should not determine if you live. Hope Air relies on partnerships with hospitals, donors, volunteers, and the medical community to ensure that every Canadian has access to care.
Since its founding in 1986, Hope Air has arranged over 235,980 travel arrangements for more than 25,000 patients across 550 Canadian communities.
For more information about Hope Air’s programs or to request assistance, visit www.hopeair.ca.
Media Contact:
Jodi Lumsden
Director Marketing & Communications
jlumsden@hopeair.ca
AltaGas’ commitment to building healthy and safe communities is rooted in their belief that strengthening the regions where they live and work benefits everyone. The company operates in diverse and often remote communities across Canada and the U.S. and understands that each one faces its own set of challenges. Through their community investment strategy, AltaGas aims to deliver high-impact support where it’s needed most.
“We recognize that people living in remote and rural communities in British Columbia often face significant barriers to accessing healthcare,” said Signi Solmundson, Manager, Indigenous & Community Relations, AltaGas. “By partnering with Hope Air, we are helping reduce those barriers and improve the health and well-being of people in communities like Prince Rupert.”
Hope Air provides free flights, accommodations, and travel support for Canadians in financial need who must travel far from home for medical care. For patients like Simona, a senior living on a fixed income Prince Rupert, this support has been life-changing.
Simona, from Prince Rupert, was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2009. She lives with chronic pain that limits her once-active lifestyle. She’s undergone knee replacement surgery and requires travel for lung cancer treatment. Her limited income only covers essentials like housing and medication, making long trips for medical care nearly impossible without support.
“I was in a situation where I had to choose to pay for medication, or just not take medication and feel terrible and stay in bed all day” said Simona, who pays $600 every two months for plasma therapy injections to manage her condition.
Travelling from Prince Rupert to Vancouver for care is challenging due to distance, weather risks, and financial strain. “Without Hope Air, I probably would’ve had to cancel most of my appointments. I would also have had to choose between my therapy injections or going to see a specialist because it would be too expensive to pay doctors that are qualified to do my treatment.”
Mark Rubinstein, Chief Executive Officer of Hope Air, emphasized the significance of the partnership with AltaGas: “Our work is only possible through the generous support of partners like AltaGas, who recognize the urgent need for accessible healthcare in remote communities. Together, we are closing the gap for patients in Northern B.C., ensuring they can reach the care they need without being burdened by impossible travel costs.”
About Hope Air:
Hope Air is the Canadian national charity that provides free flights and accommodations for Canadians who must travel far from home to reach medical care. We believe that where you live should not determine if you live. Hope Air relies on partnerships with hospitals, donors, volunteers, and the medical community to ensure that every Canadian has access to care.
Since its founding in 1986, Hope Air has arranged over 235,980 travel arrangements for more than 25,000 patients across 550 Canadian communities.
For more information about Hope Air’s programs or to request assistance, visit www.hopeair.ca.
Media Contact:
Jodi Lumsden
Director Marketing & Communications
jlumsden@hopeair.ca