Elk Valley Resources and STARS today announced a $500,000 donation from EVR to support STARS’ critical mission operations. This contribution will help STARS deliver lifesaving critical care and rapid patient transport for residents in the Elk Valley and surrounding communities across southeastern British Columbia.
STARS is a charitable, non-profit organization dedicated to providing critical care anywhere it is needed. Whether by air ambulance helicopter, ground transport, or through its innovative virtual care and education programs, STARS delivers advanced medical expertise to patients in urban, rural, and remote communities. For nearly four decades, STARS has been a lifeline across Western Canada, operating a fleet of medically equipped helicopters and highly trained crews capable of delivering intensive-care-level treatment at the scene and during transport.
In the past year, STARS completed more than 34 missions in the Regional District of East Kootenay, including 11 missions to the Elk Valley. These responses included traumatic injuries, cardiac emergencies, neurological events, and other life-threatening situations where every second counts. As the only service of its kind in Western Canada, STARS plays a vital role in ensuring patients in southeastern B.C. can access specialized care quickly, often transporting them directly to advanced care centres when local facilities require additional support.
“STARS is a critical service for the people of the Elk Valley, and we want to help ensure they can continue to respond when our community needs them most,” said Mike Carrucan, CEO of EVR. “Our employees live and work in the Elk Valley, so continuing to support STARS is very important to both EVR and the rest of our community.”
EVR’s contribution will help sustain STARS’ 24/7 operations, including recruiting and retaining highly skilled pilots, critical care paramedics, nurses, and physicians; maintaining and equipping its state-of-the-art aircraft; investing in advanced medical technology and specialized monitoring equipment; and ensuring rapid response capabilities throughout the region. STARS aircraft function as flying intensive care units, bringing hospital-level care directly to patients when time and distance are critical factors.
“We are deeply grateful to Elk Valley Resources for this extraordinary gift and for standing with us as a trusted ally,” said Dr. John Froh, President and CEO of STARS. “Support like this makes it possible for STARS to be there for people in the East Kootenay when they need us most. We are proud to serve the Elk Valley and surrounding communities, and this investment helps ensure our teams can continue delivering critical care whenever and wherever it’s needed.”
For residents of the Elk Valley and southeastern B.C., this investment represents more than funding — it is a commitment to ensuring that when the unexpected happens, expert critical care is only minutes away.
About Elk Valley Resources
Elk Valley Resources operates four steelmaking coal mines in the Elk Valley of British Columbia, providing jobs for approximately 5,500 people. EVR is committed to responsible resource development, strong environmental performance, and building meaningful partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and communities. The high-quality steelmaking coal EVR produces is an essential input for steel production used in infrastructure and products that improve quality of life around the world. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, EVR is part of the Glencore Group, one of the world’s largest diversified natural resource companies. Learn more at evr.com.
About STARS
STARS is a charitable organization founded on the conviction that no one should go without the care that could save their life. Operating 24/7 from bases in Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Saskatoon, Regina, and Winnipeg, STARS is often a patient’s best hope in a worst-case scenario. With the support of generous community partners, STARS provides critical care—physically or virtually—wherever it is needed. Learn more or donate at stars.ca.
