National Charity, Hope Air, Plays an Important Role in Supporting Nova Scotians with Travel to Life Saving Care
Jaclyn Sullivan, Director of External Relations for Atlantic Canada at Hope Air and IWK Health social work staff
HALIFAX, NS (April 6, 2025) — Hope Air, Canada’s national charity providing free travel and accommodations for Canadians in financial need who must access medical care far from home, is proud of its longstanding partnership with the IWK Health Centre in Halifax and other Nova Scotia health facilities.
For decades, Hope Air and IWK have worked together to support children and families traveling to Halifax for specialized pediatric and women’s health care. Many of these patients come from underserved communities across Atlantic Canada, facing significant financial and logistical hurdles to receive the care they need. IWK staff also often refer patients to Hope Air who require even further specialty treatment outside of the region, such as at Sick Kids hospital in Toronto.
Hope Air has fulfilled more than 5100 travel requests for patients accessing life-saving medical care at the IWK hospital, QEII Health Sciences Centre and Victoria General in Halifax, ensuring that distance and cost are never barriers to treatment. Last year, travel requests to these Halifax hospitals accounted for 11.5% of all travel requests Hope Air provided nationwide.
Patients like Michelle from New Glasgow, NS know just how critical this support can be. After sustaining a traumatic brain injury, Michelle found herself needing specialist care far from home. “I had to travel to Halifax weekly, and sometimes even further — Ottawa, Calgary, Toronto,” she says. “It’s very costly and exhausting when you’re supposed to be healing.”
When referred to a treatment program in Winnipeg, 3,500 km away, Michelle wasn’t sure how she could manage it — until she was connected to Hope Air. “I was so relieved. The application was simple, the communication was excellent, and they covered the costs I couldn’t manage. Hope Air helped me access treatment that has changed my life. I’m feeling better and more hopeful than I have in a long time.”
Jaclyn Sullivan, Director of External Relations for Atlantic Canada at Hope Air, emphasized the growing need in Nova Scotia “We know there are families in Nova Scotia who are unsure how they will get to treatment or afford accommodations while their child or loved one receives care. At Hope Air, we want every patient in the province to know that we are here, we are ready, and we want to help. With greater awareness and support, we can reach more people in 2025 and beyond.”
One-third of the patients served by Hope Air say they would cancel or delay their appointments due to cost or the stress of travel without the charity’s support. Hope Air is committed to being there for Nova Scotians when they need it most. With support from corporate partners, donors, government and important referral partners like the IWK, we can support more Nova Scotians in 2025 and beyond.
About Hope Air
Hope Air is Canada’s 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. Since 1986, Hope Air has provided over 235,980 travel arrangements for more than 25,000 patients in over 640 communities across the country.
Key facts about Hope Air’s impact:
• 73% of patients have household incomes under $52,000
• 87% felt they had no other travel options
• 65% would go into debt without Hope Air
• 93% reported reduced stress and 78% experienced better health outcomes
• 87% rated their experience as excellent
To learn more or apply for support, visit www.hopeair.ca.
Media Contact:
Jodi Lumsden
Director Marketing & Communications
jlumsden@hopeair.ca
For decades, Hope Air and IWK have worked together to support children and families traveling to Halifax for specialized pediatric and women’s health care. Many of these patients come from underserved communities across Atlantic Canada, facing significant financial and logistical hurdles to receive the care they need. IWK staff also often refer patients to Hope Air who require even further specialty treatment outside of the region, such as at Sick Kids hospital in Toronto.
Hope Air has fulfilled more than 5100 travel requests for patients accessing life-saving medical care at the IWK hospital, QEII Health Sciences Centre and Victoria General in Halifax, ensuring that distance and cost are never barriers to treatment. Last year, travel requests to these Halifax hospitals accounted for 11.5% of all travel requests Hope Air provided nationwide.
Patients like Michelle from New Glasgow, NS know just how critical this support can be. After sustaining a traumatic brain injury, Michelle found herself needing specialist care far from home. “I had to travel to Halifax weekly, and sometimes even further — Ottawa, Calgary, Toronto,” she says. “It’s very costly and exhausting when you’re supposed to be healing.”
When referred to a treatment program in Winnipeg, 3,500 km away, Michelle wasn’t sure how she could manage it — until she was connected to Hope Air. “I was so relieved. The application was simple, the communication was excellent, and they covered the costs I couldn’t manage. Hope Air helped me access treatment that has changed my life. I’m feeling better and more hopeful than I have in a long time.”
Jaclyn Sullivan, Director of External Relations for Atlantic Canada at Hope Air, emphasized the growing need in Nova Scotia “We know there are families in Nova Scotia who are unsure how they will get to treatment or afford accommodations while their child or loved one receives care. At Hope Air, we want every patient in the province to know that we are here, we are ready, and we want to help. With greater awareness and support, we can reach more people in 2025 and beyond.”
One-third of the patients served by Hope Air say they would cancel or delay their appointments due to cost or the stress of travel without the charity’s support. Hope Air is committed to being there for Nova Scotians when they need it most. With support from corporate partners, donors, government and important referral partners like the IWK, we can support more Nova Scotians in 2025 and beyond.
About Hope Air
Hope Air is Canada’s 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. Since 1986, Hope Air has provided over 235,980 travel arrangements for more than 25,000 patients in over 640 communities across the country.
Key facts about Hope Air’s impact:
• 73% of patients have household incomes under $52,000
• 87% felt they had no other travel options
• 65% would go into debt without Hope Air
• 93% reported reduced stress and 78% experienced better health outcomes
• 87% rated their experience as excellent
To learn more or apply for support, visit www.hopeair.ca.
Media Contact:
Jodi Lumsden
Director Marketing & Communications
jlumsden@hopeair.ca