Alberta survivor champions STARS after service saved her life | 24CA News

A former STARS affected person is highlighting the significance of the air-ambulance service and its function saving lives in Alberta.

Tiffany Lau was severely injured in a head-on crash in 2017 simply exterior of Calgary. STARS responded and the medical crew rescued her from a discipline and flew her to Foothills hospital.

Lau doesn’t bear in mind a lot concerning the crash, however she does recall her accidents, which had been intensive.

“A punctured lung, punctured liver, fractured a bunch of ribs on my left side, all the way down, cracked pelvis, whiplash, concussions,” she stated.

“I couldn’t see anything, I was blind. But the most memorable moment of that helicopter ride was there was a nurse… she actually held my hand in that helicopter ride.”

That small gesture helped Lau pull via and ultimately make a full restoration.

“That feeling of fear, being alone, confused, all went away,” she stated with a smile.

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The important function STARS performs within the health-care system is being highlighted because the group seeks group help via its greatest fundraiser, the STARS Lottery.

“The lottery is our major fundraising event in Alberta and our target returns, after all costs, should bring us enough for that $10 million it takes to run one full base for one full year,” defined Linda Dalgetty, STARS CFO.

Alberta has three STARS bases so it takes roughly $30 million yearly to run the service within the province.

Those prices transcend simply working the air ambulances, she says. Money is spent on many facets of emergency response that the general public typically doesn’t see and even affiliate with STARS.

“Our amazing medical crew, our Emergency Links Centre, which connects not just dispatch to the helicopter but also physicians to other physicians and to the emergency crews.

“This is the only job I’ve ever had where I cry regularly — happy tears — hearing about the amazing things that we do for people.”

Like many individuals, Lau admits she didn’t give STARS a lot thought till she wanted the service that August evening again in 2017.

“I knew who they were and (would) see them up in the sky but never thought much about them,” Lau stated.

Now she’s considered one of their greatest supporters.

“I’m very grateful and every year I donate just to help them out because who else is going to help the people who need it?”

The STARS Lottery options many prizes, together with numerous Dream Homes, holidays, a 50/50 draw, an Early Bird Prize and a Bonus Draw which is a flowery RV package deal.

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There are numerous deadlines for a number of prize packages, with the ultimate grand prize deadline of March 22. The fortunate winners of the grand prizes and the 50/50 will discover out April 5.

For extra data on methods to donate, merely go to STARS Lottery Alberta.

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