Hope Air expands medical travel support services for Canadians in need.

Medical Travel 2
Low Income Canadians, including families and children travelling long distance to reach medical care, now eligible for subsidized meals and ground airport transportation to Hospital

Hope Air announced today the launch of two new programs to support access to health care for low- income families including those living in poverty. These new Hope Air programs – “Hope Meals” and “Hope Rides” – together with existing air travel, accommodation, and related services, will significantly reduce financial barriers to full access to health care, for millions of Canadians living in smaller and more remote communities. With over 4 million Canadians presently living in poverty, including 748,000 children, Hope Air’s expanded services will alleviate financial hardship relating to transportation and living expenses while travelling to attend medical treatment and care at major Canadian hospitals.

“Access to specialized medical care and lifting oneself out of poverty, are inextricably tied together” said Mark Rubinstein, Chief Hope Officer with Hope Air. “1 in 9 Canadians either live in poverty or face significant financial challenges in meeting their day-to-day needs, representing 4 million people. The launch of the Hope Meals and Hope Rides programs, together with our existing air and accommodation services, will make a meaningful difference in the lives of the most vulnerable in our country. Hope Air’s mission is to bridge the distance between home and hospital for those most in need. The expansion of our programs will provide families with efficient and stress-free comprehensive financial support, helping thousands of Canadians from across the country reach important health and medical treatment and care”
Hope Meals
Launched in April 2022, Hope Air patients travelling to Vancouver and Toronto and staying overnight as part of their medical care will be eligible for subsidized meal and dining programs. The Hope Air Meals program will be delivered through key hotel partnerships including The Holiday Inn – Vancouver Centre, and Century Plaza hotels in Vancouver, and the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto. Additional hotel partners will be announced as available. The Hope Meals program is a pilot initiative that will be tested in the cities of Vancouver and Toronto. Expansion of the Hope Air meals program to other Canadian cities will be determined following completion of the pilot.
Holiday Inn – Vancouver Centre
“We are pleased to be working with Hope Air supporting the accommodation and meal needs of British Columbians in need travelling to Vancouver for specialized medical care” said Dennese Usison, Sales Manager Holiday Inn, Vancouver
Chelsea Hotel Toronto
“The Chelsea Hotel believes strongly in supporting our community including providing hotel rooms and dining vouchers for Canadians travelling to Toronto for medical needs. We are delighted to be partnered with Hope Air in the delivery of their most important mission” said Robert Housez, General Manager, Chelsea Hotel, Toronto

Hope Rides
Commencing May 2022, using the Uber platform for airport car transportation, Hope Rides will enable all patients to arrange for convenient free or discounted car transportation from Airport to Hospital. Hope Rides through Uber airport service will be available in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax. Hope Air patients will receive free Uber vouchers that, together with the Uber App, can be used for the scheduling and ordering of car transportation service from and to Airport.
Uber
“We are pleased that Hope Air has chosen Uber as their preferred partner for rides in Canada. Together we will provide Canadians with safe and reliable transportation as they travel for essential medical services.” said Jake Windsor, Partnerships @ Uber for Business “Access to specialized medical care and lifting oneself out of poverty, are inextricably tied together” said Mark Rubinstein, Chief Hope Officer with Hope Air. “1 in 9 Canadians either live in poverty or face significant financial challenges in meeting their day-to-day needs, representing 4 million people. The launch of the Hope Meals and Hope Rides programs, together with our existing air and accommodation services, will make a meaningful difference in the lives of the most vulnerable in our country. Hope Air’s mission is to bridge the distance between home and hospital for those most in need. The expansion of our programs will provide families with efficient and stress-free comprehensive financial support, helping thousands of Canadians from across the country reach important health and medical treatment and care”
About Hope Air
Hope Air is Canada’s only national charity providing free travel, accommodation, meals and Airport rides for Canadians in financial need who must access medical care far from home. Since its inception in 1986, Hope Air has provided more than 160,000 travel arrangements for patients inclusive of all ages and medical needs. For people living on a low income in small and rural communities, distance and cost are very real barriers to 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. Hope Air has been chosen as one of Canada’s best 100 charities by Maclean’s magazine, MoneySense magazine and Charity Intelligence based on efficiency, transparency and need. Hope Air is supported through the generosity of individuals, foundations, corporations and volunteers. Hope Air also receives financial support from provincial health care authorities including in the provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario & Prince Edward Island. For more information, visit hopeair.ca. Contact Information : Jon Colins, Chief Development Officer | HOPE AIR T (416) 800-9032 or (877) 346-4673 jcollins@hopeair.ca

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