Free airline tickets help Hunter reach specialists in Toronto

NEWS RELEASE

HOPE AIR

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Flying with an infant can be difficult for parent and child at the best of times, but may become overwhelming when the baby must visit a doctor as soon as possible. 

This became a reality for Sault Ste. Marie resident Jaime Diotte who learned earlier this year she would need to fly to SickKids in Toronto for her son Hunter to receive vital medical care.

“Flying into Toronto is really hard for Hunter and me,” says Diotte. “The busy airport is not an easy place to be when you have a sick child.”

Diotte was able to fly on Porter Airlines after receiving free airline tickets from Hope Air.

The national charity arranges free flights for Canadians in financial need who must travel for healthcare that is not available near home.

“Hunter needed to see doctors at SickKids,” explains Diotte. “Without a free flight, we would have faced a grueling drive that would have been incredibly hard on my son.” 

Hope Air and Porter Airlines have partnered to help residents from Northern Ontario access vital healthcare when their doctors refer them to specialized treatment facilities in Toronto and Ottawa.

Since the official launch of the partnership, over 650 Porter flights – including 200 to and from Sault Ste. Marie – have flown children and adults to the medical care they need.

“We understand that air service in the north is considered to be a lifeline by many people,” said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. “In cases like this, it is a very literal reference. We’re in a position to provide these flights for people like Hunter by connecting with them through Hope Air.”

“Free flights to Toronto have helped us so much,” says Diotte. “We’ve always had a friendly face when we board a flight and also when we get off the airplane.”

About Hope Air

Hope Air is the unique national charity which arranges free flights to get Canadians to the healthcare they need when it is not available near home.

Clients need to meet some eligibility requirements which can be checked at www.hopeair.ca/FAQ.

Air transportation helps reduce the emotional, financial and physical stress individuals and families face while coping with a serious illness.

Since its start in 1986, the charity has provided over 87,000 flights with the generous support from commercial airlines such as Porter Airlines, and gifts from corporations, foundations and individual donors.

About Porter Airlines

Porter Airlines has been rated Best Small Airline in the world by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards.

The airline currently offers four flights daily to Toronto from Sault Ste. Marie, visit www.flyporter.com or call (888) 619-8622 for more information.

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