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November 6, 2026
STARS and Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) today announced a new landmark $1 million partnership to further strengthen critical care access in communities across Western Canada.
On behalf of the nearly 150 local Co-ops across the Co-operative Retailing System, FCL is committing a total of $1 million that will support STARS Western Canadian operations to help ensure that people have access to lifesaving care, no matter where they live, work, or play.
“We’re proud to partner with STARS and support the critical care it provides for Western Canadians at their most vulnerable moments,” said Leanne Hawes, vice-president, Co-op & external relations, FCL. “With Co-op serving more than 650 communities, a STARS patient could be one of our Co-op members, a customer, a colleague, a neighbour, a friend or a loved one, and that’s why this commitment deeply matters.”
Built on shared values and a promise to serve people and local communities, this partnership will enable STARS to continue providing critical care, while advancing medical transport and lifesaving interventions to help improve patient outcomes in the most critical of situations.
“As an organization built by the community, for the community, we are only able to serve our patients thanks to the unwavering support of partners like Co-op,” said Dr. John Froh, president and CEO, STARS. “From the Rocky Mountains, across the Prairies, to the North, and beyond, we believe that every person should have access to quality, lifesaving care, no matter where they are. This incredible $1 million donation from Co-op will help ensure we can continue delivering the highest standard of care, wherever it’s needed, when it matters most.”
With approximately 50 per cent of its funding across Western Canada coming from community fundraising, charitable donations from partners like FCL made it possible for STARS to fly 3,575 missions last year, from its six bases across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.