News Releases
WestJet and the David Foster Foundation release video urging
Canadians to become registered organ donors
CALGARY, Feb. 13, 2018 /CNW/ - Just in time for Valentine's Day, today, WestJet and WestJet Cares for Kids charitable partner, the David Foster Foundation, combine forces to release a video featuring a grateful 16-year-old heart transplant recipient and urge Canadians to complete a donor registration card to become a registered organ donor. To view the video, please click here.
WestJet Thanks: From the heart follows young heart transplant recipient and dancer, Alyssa, as she thanks her Fredericton, New Brunswick dance community for giving her strength and support throughout her transplant journey. Enter Blake McGrath, renowned Canadian choreographer, dancer and recording artist, who helps Alyssa give her troupe a surprise that makes their hearts flutter with excitement. To read more about Alyssa's life-saving transplant journey, please visit the WestJet blog.
"This Valentine's Day, WestJet urges you to watch Alyssa's story and, like me, share your decision to become a donor and complete a donor registration card," said Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President, Marketing Communications. "Taking these steps can help more children receive the gift of life so they can get back to doing what they love. Through WestJet Cares for Kids, we are committed to supporting partners like the David Foster Foundation by providing the gift of flight, helping alleviate some of the financial burden that travelling to medical appointments can cause, and ensuring families can be together while their child undergoes a life-saving organ transplant."
"Joint projects between our organization and WestJet, such as this incredible experience with Alyssa, remind us that our partnership with WestJet Cares for Kids travels far beyond a charitable relationship," said Michael Ravenhill, CEO of the David Foster Foundation. "The David Foster Foundation sees the WestJet team as part of our extended family, and when we work together, the sky is the limit to achieving memorable moments for deserving Canadians from coast to coast."
"Partnering with WestJet Cares for Kids and the David Foster Foundation to surprise Alyssa's dance troupe was such a fun and proud experience," said Blake McGrath, dancer, choreographer and recording artist. "It is a testament to Alyssa's resilience and the amazing work the David Foster Foundation does that kids like Alyssa end up thriving. The gratitude in the room was palpable."
Gratitude is good for the heart. So is registering to become an organ donor. In Canada, each province has its own organ and tissue donation system. To learn more, visit davidfosterfoundation.com.
About the David Foster Foundation
David Foster is a proud Canadian, Recipient of the Order of Canada, Officer of the Order of Canada, 50-time nominee and 16-time Grammy Award winner (including three for Producer of the Year), three-time Oscar nominee, Golden Globe winner, seven-time Juno Award winner, Emmy award winner and has the distinguished honour to have his star on both the Canadian and Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is the man behind the biggest hits, with more than half a billion records sold.
Foster launched the David Foster Foundation in his hometown of Victoria in 1986. Across Canada, the David Foster Foundation financially supports families for all essential non-medical expenses while their children are undergoing life-saving organ transplants. Thanks to its annual fundraising efforts and the generous support of national partners like TELUS, WestJet, Aird & Berlis LLP, Honda Canada Foundation, OUTFRONT Media Canada, and Schnitzer, families receive support for expenses incurred when travelling away from their homes to be with their child during transplant.
The Slaight Family Foundation, Newton Glassman Foundation in partnership with Catalyst Capital Group Inc., Jim & Sandi Treliving, Tan Sri Dr. Francis Yeoh, GAIN Group of Companies, and TELUS are the Foundation's $1 million Life Legacy members. Community partners include the GAIN Group of Companies, Boston Pizza, and the Oak Bay Beach Hotel.
The Foundation also promotes organ donor awareness and registration in both Canada and the United States.
About WestJet
WestJet is proud to be named Best Airline in Canada and one of the best Low Cost Airlines in North America, based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on Trip Advisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook. Together with our regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas. Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our partner airlines.
WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognition includes:
2017 Five-Star Airline in the Low-Cost Category (The Airline Passenger Experience Association)
2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2016 Canada's most reputable company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands (Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture (Waterstone Human Capital)
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)
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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership
