Hope Air planning to celebrate awareness day on June 6
Charity organization is lobbying to have non-emergency air services funded by the Ontario government
The national Hope Air organization is inviting communities in Northern Ontario and across Canada to celebrate Hope Air Day on June 6, 2025 to educate people and raise awareness of the important medical service that is provided to people who need to travel for health reasons.
Unlike the emergency air-ambulance service that is provided by government agencies in critical care cases, Hope Air provides a travel service to ordinary Canadians who need out-of-town medical care that is not regarded as emergency care.
“The day highlights the critical work of Hope Air and its partners in breaking down barriers to medical care, particularly for patients in rural or underserved areas. Hope Air has become an integral part of the Canadian healthcare system, offering free travel assistance to thousands of patients in need of life-saving medical treatments,” said a news release from Hope Air.
Hope Air added that with its free airline flights and other medical travel services, the agency helps low-income Canadians overcome the financial and logistical challenges of seeking specialty medical care.
“By bridging the gap between remote communities and vital healthcare services, Hope Air ensures timely access to essential treatments that might otherwise be out of reach,” the service said in the news release.
Hope Air said that every year it co-ordinates more than 45,000 travel arrangements for patients in more than 650 communities across Canada. Its services include flights, accommodations, airport transport (via Uber), and meals — completely free for patients and their accompanying escorts.
The agency said that the special day to honour Hope Air Day is expected to bring together leaders from all sectors — government, industry, healthcare, aviation, and communities — working in unison to eliminate the obstacles preventing equal health care access.
Hope Air has been lobbying to have the Ontario government provide funding as a service to residents living in rural and remote parts of the province.
In celebration of Hope Air Day, a live concert will be held in Sault Ste. Marie featuring country music artist Cory Marks. It will be streamed live on Facebook at 6 p.m. on June 6 and will be attended by community members, supporters, and partners.
Cities and towns across Canada will also celebrate Hope Air Day through various activities including social media posts, media stories, fundraisers and community celebrations, said the news release.
Unlike the emergency air-ambulance service that is provided by government agencies in critical care cases, Hope Air provides a travel service to ordinary Canadians who need out-of-town medical care that is not regarded as emergency care.
“The day highlights the critical work of Hope Air and its partners in breaking down barriers to medical care, particularly for patients in rural or underserved areas. Hope Air has become an integral part of the Canadian healthcare system, offering free travel assistance to thousands of patients in need of life-saving medical treatments,” said a news release from Hope Air.
Hope Air added that with its free airline flights and other medical travel services, the agency helps low-income Canadians overcome the financial and logistical challenges of seeking specialty medical care.
“By bridging the gap between remote communities and vital healthcare services, Hope Air ensures timely access to essential treatments that might otherwise be out of reach,” the service said in the news release.
Hope Air said that every year it co-ordinates more than 45,000 travel arrangements for patients in more than 650 communities across Canada. Its services include flights, accommodations, airport transport (via Uber), and meals — completely free for patients and their accompanying escorts.
The agency said that the special day to honour Hope Air Day is expected to bring together leaders from all sectors — government, industry, healthcare, aviation, and communities — working in unison to eliminate the obstacles preventing equal health care access.
Hope Air has been lobbying to have the Ontario government provide funding as a service to residents living in rural and remote parts of the province.
In celebration of Hope Air Day, a live concert will be held in Sault Ste. Marie featuring country music artist Cory Marks. It will be streamed live on Facebook at 6 p.m. on June 6 and will be attended by community members, supporters, and partners.
Cities and towns across Canada will also celebrate Hope Air Day through various activities including social media posts, media stories, fundraisers and community celebrations, said the news release.