Please contact Doug Keller-Hobson (416-222-6335 ex. 228) for further information and story opportunities.

2008-04-24
NEWS RELEASE 

Hope Air congratulates Co-Founder Joan Rogers on receiving Prestigous Award from Governor General

Toronto April 24, 2008– Hope Air is pleased to advise that Joan Rogers, Co-Founder of Hope Air, has been awarded the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada.

Created in 1996 by the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc, the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award is presented to individuals and groups whose unpaid, voluntary contributions provided extraordinary help or care in the community. The recipients of this prestigious award represent Canadians who selflessly give of their time and energy to others.

Over the 50 years, Joan Rogers has worked tirelessly to enhance the lives of her fellow citizens. She assisted working mothers and mothers of children with special needs with the establishment of various low-cost daycare services in Toronto. She has actively supported her church, particularly with the creation of its Meals on Wheels program, and has volunteered regularly with the Canadian Cancer Society. Her extraordinary efforts also include the co-founding of Hope Air, which provides free air travel to Canadians in need of medical treatment or diagnosis. In the 22 years since being co-founded by Joan, Hope Air has arranged more than 53,000 flights for Canadians who need to travel to receive essential care and treatment.

"Joan Rogers has been a beacon of hope within this organization for so many years," said Hope Air's Executive Director Doug Keller-Hobson. "She has been a role model for so many of our volunteers and a provider of wise council to the Board and staff over the years. Hope Air has benefited greatly from Joan's spirit and passion for its charity mission and we are so pleased that she has been publicly recognized in such an important way."

About Hope Air

Hope Air provides a beacon of Hope for Canadians in financial need who must travel for non-emergency medical care outside their home communities. Now in its 22nd year of service, Hope Air is dedicated to making needed health care accessible to all Canadians. Since its inception in 1986, Hope Air has arranged more than 53,000 flights for fellow Canadians. A significant proportion of the flights provided by Hope Air are for children and their escorts with transportation donated by our commercial airline partners, as well as our national team of exceptional volunteer pilots.

Media Contacts:

Hope Air
Doug Keller Hobson
dkeller-hobson@hopeair.org
(416) 222-6335