Canadian charity offering free medical travel hits major milestone

For many Canadians, access to healthcare doesn’t begin at the doctor’s office. It begins with the journey there.

Whether it’s a routine appointment or specialized treatment, transportation can be one of the biggest barriers to care, particularly for people living in rural, remote, or underserved communities.  Today, one in two Canadians  use Uber to get to medical appointments. But for those who need to travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometers for treatment, getting there often requires much more than a ride.

For patients who need to travel long distances for specialized care, the cost of getting there can be overwhelming.  Flights, accommodations, meals, and ground transportation quickly add up, especially for those in financial need.

That’s where Hope Air comes into play.

40 years of Hope Air

As Hope Air celebrates 40 years of helping Canadians access healthcare, the organization continues to remove financial and geographic barriers to care for patients in more than 700 communities in Canada.

Working alongside partners including Uber Canada, Hope Air coordinates every step of the journey, helping patients travel to the care they need without the added burden of cost.

Since 1986, the charitable organization has arranged more than 277,000 medical supports so that patients and their families can focus on what really matters.

Meet Sawyer

One such patient is Sawyer, a young boy who lives with his family in Kelowna, British Columbia. Since birth, Sawyer has faced complex and changing medical challenges requiring specialized care far from home.

The family regularly travelled for care. When Sawyer required an advanced surgery in Vancouver during the winter, driving simply wasn’t an option

After connecting with Hope Air, Sawyer’s parents found immediate relief. Through Hope Air’s network of partners, including Uber Canada, the family received the travel support they needed to reach Sawyer’s surgery without delaying his care.

It also meant no one was left sitting at home, wondering about Sawyer’s procedure – everyone could be together as a family, without the financial burden of transportation and accommodation.

Partnerships that make a difference

Hope Air’s work is made possible through the support of partners like Uber Canada, helping ensure patients can complete every part of their healthcare journey. 

Last year alone, Hope Air provided 10,288 medical trips for patients and caregivers and 9,449 nights of accommodation, with Uber Canada-supported travel through 5,110 Uber rides and 2,725 Uber Eats Meals.

Together, Hope Air and partners like Uber Canada are helping make health care more accessible by ensuring the journey to care isn’t another barrier for patients and their families.

To learn more about Hope Air or find out if you or someone you know may be eligible for support, visit the Hope Air website or call 1-877-346-HOPE (4673).