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.
www.davidfosterfoundation.com
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