Client: Announcements
Date: December 13, 2012
Some boys and girls in Victoria got an early taste of Christmas today when Helijet and the BC Ambulance Service flew Santa Claus to Victoria General Hospital to deliver presents and Christmas cheer to the kids on the hospital’s Pediatrics Ward.
Joining Santa on his annual visit to Royal Columbian Hospital and Victoria General Hospital were Helijet President and CEO Danny Sitnam and Fernando Grossling, an infant transport paramedic with BC Ambulance Service. The chance to meet Santa and enjoy an early Christmas gift was a welcome distraction for the children, many of whom won’t be home for Christmas this year.
“Each year, our dedicated staff works closely with the BC Ambulance Service to provide 24/7 helicopter service for hundreds of critically ill patients across BC, many of them children,” said Sitnam. “We recognize that not everyone can be home for the holidays, so all of us at Helijet are happy to have this opportunity to help make the Christmas season special for these courageous kids and their parents.”
BC Ambulance Service infant transport team paramedic Fernando Grossling said the hospital visits with Santa are a unique opportunity to interact with the children in a much happier environment.
“Paramedics often meet children and their families under stressful circumstances -when a loved one is sick or injured,” said Grossling. “Hospital stays can be difficult for children and events like this can help to brighten spirits.”
Helijet is a Canadian-owned company, North America’s largest scheduled helicopter service and has carried two million passengers in the past 25 years. In addition to its scheduled and charter services, Helijet is a major service provider of dedicated medically equipped helicopters and turbojet aircraft for the Province of British Columbia and numerous medical service clients. www.helijet.com
BCAS operates under the authority of the Emergency and Health Services Commission (EHSC) and provides public ambulance service throughout British Columbia. The EHSC has the legislated mandate under the Emergency and Health Services Act to provide B.C. residents and healthcare professionals with access to pre-hospital emergency and patient transfer services. The EHSC also oversees BC Bedline and Trauma Services BC. The EHSC is a division of the Provincial Health Services Authority which manages high-quality specialized health care services across British Columbia.
