A staple in healthcare in Saskatchewan is turning to the public for support, as Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service is hoping for a big fundraising bump from the Critical Care On The Air Radiothon presented by GMS.

The radiothon runs today and tomorrow and involves a number of radio stations around Saskatchewan, including the Eagle 94-1 and Country Music Radio in Swift Current.

Here are some facts about the air-rescue service:

-STARS had their first flight in Calgary in 1985

-They opened their Saskatchewan operations with bases in Regina and Saskatoon in 2012

-Over 7,600 missions have been flown in Saskatchewan across 500 communities, including 884 in the last fiscal year Over 45,000 missions have been flown across

-Canada 19 missions were flown to Estevan during the 2019-20 fiscal year

-Both Regina and Saskatchewan bases provide 24/7 critical-care service

-Around 90 people are hired across the two bases, including full and part-time positions comprising: professionals in medicine/critical care, aviation, education, fundraising, and administration

-STARS is raising money to replace what it says is an aging fleet with nine new Airbus H145 helicopters. Saskatoon flew its first mission in the H145 on October 30. Regina expects to begin operating the new helicopter this year.

-The annual operating cost for STARS is around $10.5 million in each base. Half is provided by the provincial government, half is raised through fundraisers like this radiothon

You can donate by calling the Viterra Lifeline at 1 877 50 STARS or CLICK HERE.

Below is a STARS-supplied graphic breaking down where each mission in 2019-20 was flown.