The annual STARS and SPURS Gala, hosted by the Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC), was a huge success Saturday night raising approximately $458,000 for the Alberta Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS).
The event kicked off STARS’ 25 year anniversary celebrations with an emotional speech by Kelly Hulstein, the first patient to be flown by STARS in 1985.
Kelly was joined by her mom Diane Hulstein as she told her story to a crowd of nearly 1,000 who attended the western themed event. Attendees included STARS patients, representatives of oil and gas industry companies and their guests, government and Alberta Health Services representatives, and emergency service responders.
“We are very grateful for the continued support of PSAC in hosting this gala every year,” says Dr. Greg Powell, STARS President and CEO. “We are humbled by the generosity of those who attended.”
A historic video and presentations by some of STARS founding members were also highlights of the evening. Radio host David Rutherford did an outstanding job of emceeing the entire night.
Following formal presentations, hundreds hit the dance floor as Canadian Country Music award-winning singer Jessie Farrell performed live on stage.
Attending dignitaries included the Hon. Ronald Liepert, Alberta’s Minister of Energy; Ken Hughes, Chair of the Alberta Health Services Board; Brian Coston, Chair of the STARS & SPURS Gala organizing committee; Roger Soucy, PSAC President, and many of the Founding Directors of STARS, including Dr. Gregory Powell, who continues as the Society’s President and CEO.
This was the 16th annual STARS & SPURS Gala presented by PSAC, which has raised approximately $4.1 million in total over these years.
Since 1985, STARS has flown approximately 19,000 missions providing rapid access to emergency medical care and transport for the critically ill and injured
STARS is a non-profit, charitable organization that provides services 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the familiar red BK117 helicopters from bases in Calgary, Edmonton and Grande Prairie.
The Petroleum Services Association of Canada is the national trade association representing the service, supply and manufacturing sectors within the upstream petroleum industry. PSAC represents a diverse range of over 270 member companies, employing more than 60,000 people and contracting almost exclusively to oil and gas exploration and production companies. PSAC member companies represent over 80 per cent of the business volume generated in the petroleum services industry.