Jason Lunn says he wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for STARS air ambulance service.
The Lacombe resident was involved in a serious car accident on Hwy 2 eight years ago. Luckily, a STARS helicopter arrived in time, rushing him to Edmonton’s Royal Alexandra Hospital.
The accident left Lunn with a broken neck and spinal cord injury. Doctors told him he would never walk again.
“STARS saved me time to be with my wife and be a dad to my kids,” he said. “Without STARS and all the people who made this organization possible, I simply wouldn’t be here today.”
Lunn was speaking to reporters Thursday at Parkland Mall during the launch of the 26th annual STARS Lottery Alberta. He encouraged Central Albertans to help STARS through the fundraising effort.
The lottery, which is raising money to buy new helicopters to better serve Western Canada, offers chances to win 2,809 prizes, valued at over $4.5 million.
The Lucky STARS 50/50 is also taking place with the chance to win up to $2 million.
The Alberta lottery has three grand prize show homes, a $963,395 early bird luxury lifestyle package prize, two high-end vehicles or their cash value and five vacation packages, according to the press release. The three homes are located in Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge and are worth more than $2.6 million.
The early bird prize this year is a fully-furnished townhome in Kelowna, including memberships at Predator Ridge Golf Club, Aqua Boat Club and Cedar Creek Estate Winery, as well as $30,000 in cash.
Lunn, 47, continues to run a construction company with his brother. He can drive a car with hand controls. He says he is able to lead a meaningful life as a quadriplegic. This includes coaching his son’s football team and going on wheelchair accessible vacations. He was even a torch bearer at the 25th Rick Hansen Anniversary Relay.
Lottery ticket prices are 1 for $30, 3 for $60, 6 for $100 and 18 for $250. Lucky STARS 50/50 tickets are 1 for $10, 5 for $25 and 15 for $50.
The early bird deadline is Feb. 28th with the draw on March 15th. The final deadline is March 21st with draws taking place April 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th. Tickets are available at Parkland Mall and online.
