Aeroplan's annual Aeroplan Points Matching Week raised an impressive 67.7 million points, "representing the most successful points matching campaign in the two-decade history" of the Hospital Transportation Program.
Aeroplan said in a statement that with the points donated, the Hospital Transportation program will be able to help roughly 700 families, based on the average points used for flights in 2023 to date.
As Open Jaw reported, Aeroplan's annual "Points Matching Week" started on 02OCT and ran until 08OCT.
For 20 years, the Air Canada Foundation's Hospital Transportation Program has operated on the donations of Aeroplan members to provide relief for families across Canada whose children need specialized medical treatment.
"The generosity exhibited through this year's campaign has blown us away. With donations coming from across Canada and more than 80 countries, our Aeroplan partners and members came together from around the globe to rally behind families to provide a sense of relief for those who face the stress of transporting a child for medical treatment," said Valérie Durand, spokesperson for the Air Canada Foundation. "We cannot thank our Aeroplan partners and members enough for their generosity and contributions which will help ensure the sustainability of this impactful program for years to come."
Mark Nasr, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Digital at Air Canada and President of Aeroplan, added, "Aeroplan members are the industry's most generous! Whether supporting their local communities or helping people in need around-the-world, time and again, they answer the call. This year, we were thrilled to have leading Aeroplan partners TD, CIBC, and the Avis Budget Group join us to amplify the generosity of our joint customers. With their support, this was the most impactful Points Matching Week ever — all devoted to helping kids and their families travel for required medical care."
All Aeroplan points go directly to 15 pediatric hospitals nationwide to support their young patients' need for care not offered in their community.
"Roughly 700 families will be supported with easier access to hospital care thanks to Aeroplan members and the kind generosity of the Avis Budget Group, TD, CIBC and Aeroplan. We can't believe the outpouring of support and are grateful to know that so many families across Canada will experience a bit of relief in their journey to get the specialized care their children need," said Adam Starkman, President and CEO of Canada's Children's Hospital Foundation.
Here is how it helps:
- Points donated go toward providing patients and parent or guardian flights with Air Canada and its partner airlines.
- Created in 2003, the program works to support the following 15 pediatric hospitals across Canada: BC Children's Hospital (B.C.), Alberta Children's Hospital (Alta.), Stollery Children's Hospital (Alta.), Jim Pattison Children's Hospital (Sask.), The Children Hospital of Winnipeg (Man.), Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre (Ont.), McMaster Children's Hospital (Ont.), Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (Ont.), The Hospital for Sick Children (Ont.), Shriners Hospital for Children (Que.), Montreal Children's Hospital (Que.), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine (Que.), CHU de Québec (Que.), IWK Health Centre (N.S.), and the Janeway Children's Hospital (Nfld.).
- In 2022, 179 children and their families were helped with 226 flights via the Hospital Transportation Program. CAD $1.4 million and 2.92 million Aeroplan points were raised for the Foundation and its programs, including the Hospital Transportation Program.
More information about the Air Canada Foundation Hospital Transportation Program is available on its website.
