Alberta Business Community Raises $640,000 for 2018 CEO Rescue in the Rockies for STARS Fundraiser

CALGARY, Alberta, June 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) is pleased to announce that the seventh CEO Rescue in the Rockies fundraiser has raised $640,000 to help STARS continue its mission of saving lives. Since 2011, the flagship fundraiser has seen the Alberta business community rally together and raise more than $5 million for STARS.

The Alberta-based business leaders whose fundraising and wilderness skills were both put to the test included: Dave Mowat, president and CEO of ATB Financial; Gianna Manes, president and CEO of Enmax; Tom Kee, executive director of Federation of Alberta Gas Co-ops; and Doug Anderson, president of Peavey Industries.

"The perseverance and energy that all the CEOs put into today's mission was outstanding," said Andrea Robertson, president and CEO of STARS. "With the support of Dave, Gianna, Tom, Doug and their organizations, STARS will be able to continue providing people the vital care they need when they need it the most. Thank you for joining our fight to save lives."

The four participating CEOs traded in their business suits for a blue flight suit and prepared to take-off into the Kananaskis Country wilderness equipped with only a cell phone and their sense of adventure. The troupe was picked up in a helicopter from the Calgary Peace Bridge helipad and dropped off at a remote mountain-top location. STARS air crew members and medics led the participants through a series of tests, including a readiness, survival and STARS medical challenge. The most important challenge of the day involved the CEOs competing to raise $100,000 each by calling their family, friends and fellow philanthropists to donate critical funds to STARS. Upon completing their mission, they were "rescued" by a STARS air ambulance helicopter and brought back to downtown Calgary.

Funds raised through CEO Rescue in the Rockies will help STARS provide time, hope and life-saving transport to critically ill and injured patients. To learn more about CEO Rescue in the Rockies for STARS or to nominate a CEO for next year's challenge, visit www.ceorescueintherockies.ca

About Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS):

Simply put, STARS fights for life. Since we embarked on our first mission in 1985, we've been driven by the goal of providing people the vital care they need when they need it the most. Whether it's offering hands-on training to rural medical providers or providing rapid, emergency medical transportation for the critically ill and injured, we operate 24/7 from bases in Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg, anticipating and acting when people need our help. Learn more at stars.ca

For more information please contact:

Angela Cabucos                                                         STARS Media Line
Brookline Public Relations, Inc.                                  1-866-966-8277
403-560-4157                                                             [email protected]
[email protected]