Each year, first- and second-year UBC medical students raise money for rural medicine through social activities and fundraising endeavors. The Class of 2015 raised $9293 through this year’s efforts, and voted to donate the funds to Hope Air, a Canada-wide charity that arranges free flights to transport low-income families to specialized health care services available only in urban centres.

For families in remote communities, accessing medical care can re­quire days off work, high travel costs, and stress. In 2012, Hope Air provided 6091 free flights across Canada, with 70% of the flights occurring in BC. 

This year’s UBC med student do­nation translates to almost 40 flights for individuals in British Columbia who must travel to access health care. 
To learn more about Hope Air visit www.hopeair.ca [8] or call 1 877 346-4673.