Jennifer, a mother from Trail, describes her experience with Hope Air in two words: “Utterly amazing.”
Her teenage daughter Bee has used Hope Air services multiple times for medical appointments, travelling to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver twice and once to the hospital in Kelowna.
Each time, Jennifer was by her daughter’s side, and each time, Hope Air removed the logistical burdens.
“They take care of everything,” Jennifer says. “Flights, hotels, Uber rides, and even meal vouchers. They take away all the stress and hassle, and it’s been a huge relief during what’s already so stressful and emotional.”
Bee, who has been dealing with chronic pain due to an illness, has struggled not only with her health but also with anxiety and depression.
The impact on her daily life has been profound.
“She can’t work or have a normal life,” Jennifer shares. “Though she feels embarrassed by it all, she agrees it’s important to spread the word about Hope Air. They’ve been incredible for us.”
Last year alone, Hope Air supported 226 patients and 97 companions in the West Kootenay region, providing 478 flights and 643 nights of accommodation along with meals and ground transportation, totalling 1,933 travel arrangements.
As spokesperson Jodi Lumsden reports, demand for Hope Air’s services increased by 143 percent last year and continues to grow.
“Each month, approximately 15 flights at the Trail Regional Airport are supporting a Hope Air patient, with many flights provided by Pacific Coastal Airlines,” Lumsden notes.
Hope Air offers a critical service for those in financial need with a confirmed medical appointment covered by the provincial health plan.
Patients can apply online or by phone if internet access is a barrier. For those who need assistance, family members or social workers can apply on their behalf.
The process is seamless: Hope Air’s client care team manages all travel arrangements, so patients incur no out-of-pocket expenses.
They’re also eligible for Uber or taxi vouchers and meal vouchers if an overnight stay is required.
Funding for Hope Air comes from corporate and individual donors, community foundations, and provincial government support.
Hope Air partners with commercial airlines like Pacific Coastal Airlines, and from April to October, a volunteer pilot program steps in as well.
“We have a small but mighty team of volunteer pilots who use their private planes to fly patients to appointments,” says Lumsden. “This is especially beneficial for smaller communities without commercial airline services.”
Hope Air’s support is available for patients with any medical condition covered by the provincial health plan.
“One-third of people who use Hope Air say they would cancel or delay their care without this support,” Lumsden adds.
For families like Jennifer and Bee’s, Hope Air has been a lifeline — offering practical help and compassion when it’s needed most.
