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Airline and charity partner team up for WestJet Thanks: Giving hope video to help Leora Wildi say thank you

CALGARY, Oct. 2, 2018 /CNW/ - In celebration of Thanksgiving, WestJet and WestJet Cares for Kids charity partner, Hope Air, teamed up to help patient Leora Wildi say thank you to those who supported her throughout her health journey.

WestJet Thanks: Giving hope follows Leora, now 23, who was diagnosed with two types of bone cancer at the age of 14. Her cancer treatment caused serious and life-long complications that has required more than 50 trips from her hometown of Prince George, B.C., to Vancouver for specialized medical care.

Cancer-free for eight years and counting, Leora is now speaking out about how Hope Air and WestJet played an integral part in her recovery. While doing so, she is also able to thank some of those who helped her on her health journey by bringing them together for a very special day. To view the video, click here.

"This Thanksgiving, our goal is for Leora's story to inspire everyone to give thanks to those who have helped them through their own life journeys," said Richard Bartrem, WestJet's Vice-President Marketing Communications. "By working alongside Hope Air and providing the gift of flight we are helping bridge the gap for thousands of Canadians who need to travel for medical care. We hope by sharing Leora's journey we can bring more awareness to this critical charity so other patients like Leora can access the healthcare they need."

"WestJet is an important and valued partner in helping Hope Air ensure that all Canadians have access to the medical care they need, despite distance or cost of travel," said Doug Keller-Hobson, Hope Air CEO. "We thank WestJet for this unique opportunity to raise awareness of Hope Air's vital and important work."

Since 1996, WestJet and Hope Air have been working together to assist Canadian families with medical needs and in 2007, Hope Air became one of WestJet Cares for Kids founding partners. Hope Air coordinates flights for individuals of all ages, with a variety of illnesses and health concerns. By offering free transportation for health-related issues, Hope Air, with the support of WestJet and its other partners, relieve the strain on financially-burdened families and reduce their emotional stress when the uncertainty of illness prevails.

Almost one-third of Hope Air clients report that they would postpone or cancel their healthcare appointment if Hope Air was not able to provide them with a free flight. This has serious repercussions for their health, and it can also interfere with their ability to work, care for their family, attend school or participate in the community. To learn more visit Hope Air.

About Hope Air
Hope Air is Canada's only national charity arranging free flights to low-income patients who must travel far from home to access medical care. Hope Air helps make Canada's universal healthcare accessible by bridging the distance between home and hospital, patient and physician. Since its inception in 1986, Hope Air has provided more than 130,000 flights to patients in need, and since 2016 is proud to include the provision of Confederation Bridge toll and ferry passes for Prince Edward Island residents. For more information visit www.hopeair.ca.

About WestJet
Together with WestJet's 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 proud to be recognized as Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice winner – North America for 2017 and 2018 in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines. The airline was also named the Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America, 2018. All awards are based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.

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:
2018 North America's Best Low-Cost Airline (Skytrax)
2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018/2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
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)

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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership