How Air Canada’s Aeroplan Loyalty Program Is Helping Children In Need Of Medical Treatment

Air Canada has proudly kicked off Points Matching Week, run by the airline’s frequent flyer program, Aeroplan. The initiative began today and will run through October 8th; it is Aeroplan’s largest annual fundraiser.

As part of Points Matching Week, Aeroplan supports the Air Canada Foundation’s Hospital Transportation Program, which is celebrating a special milestone this year. The program was launched in 2003, and to mark its 20th anniversary, Aeroplan will boost its contribution by matching member donations by up to 20 million miles.

Aeroplan has approximately five million members worldwide, and recently launched an enhanced service for members by offering free messaging capabilities onboard Air Canada flights. Aeroplan points can also be earned and redeemed on a number of fellow Star Alliance carriers, in addition to those with which the airline has an agreement, such as Emirates.

Transportation services for families in need

The Hospital Transportation Program provides relief for families across Canada whose children need to travel for medical treatment. The points raised throughout Points Matching Week will be donated to 15 pediatric hospitals throughout the country – BC Children’s Hospital (BC), Alberta Children’s Hospital (AB), Stollery Children’s Hospital (AB), Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (SK), The Children Hospital of Winnipeg (MB), Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre (ON), McMaster Children’s Hospital (ON), Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (ON), The Hospital for Sick Children (ON), Shriners Hospital for Children (QC), Montreal Children’s Hospital (QC), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine (QC), CHU de Québec (QC), IWK Health Centre (NS), and the Janeway Children’s Hospital (NL).

Photo: Sockagphoto / Shutterstock

Also taking part in the initiative are Aeroplan’s partners – TD, CIBC, and Avis Budget Group, providing a further boost to the total number of miles that will be donated. Last year, the initiative raised $1.4 million and 2.92 million miles, and these impressive totals went towards helping transport 179 children and their families on 226 flights via the Hospital Transportation Program. This year, the scheme is set to support even more children.

The Air Canada Foundation

The Air Canada Foundation was launched in 2012 and raises money through donations given by passengers onboard flights and through collection tins located in the airline’s Maple Leaf airport lounges. The money raised is donated to charitable organizations across the country, that are focused on improving children’s health and wellbeing.

Valérie Durand, a spokesperson for the Air Canada Foundation, celebrated Pints Matching Week, saying,

“As a mother myself, nothing is more important than the health of our children and getting them critical medical care when it is required. As a Foundation serving the health and wellbeing of children, we are grateful for generosity of Aeroplan and Aeroplan members. Their invaluable contributions make a real difference in helping children get the care they need – care that is sometimes thousands of kilometers away from home.”

Photo: Vytautas Kielaitis / Shutterstock

Last year, the airline released the following video to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Air Canada Foundation:

Airlines worldwide often partner with charities to provide a much-needed boost to their funds through donations from passengers and other initiatives. Many major carriers even have their own charitable foundations, including American Airlines.

Are you an Aeroplan member? Will you be taking part in Points Matching Week? Let us know by commenting below.