Rescue chopper saves sister; brother raises $100,000
Published: May 21, 2007
STARS air ambulance had no inkling picking up a Calgary girl critically injured in a ski accident would compel her eight-year-old brother to raise $100,000 for them.
Yesterday, surrounded by adoring supporters and STARS’ red choppers, Sam Stretch gleefully went under the shears, offering his thick locks to close his part of the fundraising deal.
“I expected I’d maybe raise $1,000 and that much would have been amazing,” said a freshly-shorn Sam. “It’s one of the best moments of my life.”
But the events leading up to yesterday’s triumph were among his family’s worst moments.
On Feb. 17, Sam’s sister Tessa, then 10, collided with another skier then crashed head-first into a steel lift tower at the Fernie Alpine Resort.
Suffering life-threatening brain injuries, she was eventually flown to the Alberta Children’s Hospital by STARS.
Her father, Steve, said doctors didn’t expect her to live but she’s defied the odds, making it to yesterday’s haircutting to hug her devoted, stubble-headed brother.
“I think it’s really special … if STARS didn’t save me, I wouldn’t be here today,” said Tessa, who turns 11 today.
“I hope STARS keeps saving other peoples’ lives.”
Even the hair Sam gave up is going to a good cause — cancer patients’ wigs.
The determined youngster said his dad’s badgering him to get a haircut led him to his charitable haircut theme.
“So I thought about shaving it — I wouldn’t have to get it cut for a long time,” he said.
But his sister’s gripping story of survival and STARS’ role in it rallied more than 400 donors province-wide, many of whom were contacted by e-mail for a pledge.
“It’s just a really good, heartwarming story and giving up my hair is a small price to pay,” said Sam.
“It feels a lot better than I thought it would feel.”
STARS officials are overwhelmed by Sam’s efforts, said air ambulance spokesman Bart Goemans.
“When Sam does something, we realize he doesn’t do it small,” he said.
“This rivals any corporate donation, no doubt.”
Sam’s proud and grateful father, Steve, said he couldn’t be happier with his son’s success.
“You never really realize how important STARS is until something like this happens to your family,” he said, while also praising Alberta Children’s Hospital staff.
If you enjoyed this good news Subscribe to Good News Blog
Share this
To share this simply copy and paste one of the below URL's: