Toronto, Ontario, Dec. 21, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ethiopian Airlines Canada is pleased to announce today a very important partnership with The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). A partnership to assist the hospital dedicated to improving the health of children and providing the best in family-centred, compassionate care. Ethiopian Airlines Canada will be donating 12 round-trip flights to support the International Patient Office and the Herbie Fund, which helps children from around the world to receive surgical care and treatment at SickKids in Toronto.
The flight donation will be used to bring children and their families seeking medical attention through the Herbie Fund and International Patient Office to SickKids, a global leader in children’s health, research and care, and one of the top children’s hospitals in the world. In addition, 12 round-trip flights have also been reserved for hospital staff, including Dr. Michael Apkon, President & CEO of The Hospital for Sick Children, to travel abroad to varied projects with The Centre for Global Child Health at SickKids. Flights to take place from Toronto to Africa and to other destinations Ethiopian Airlines Canada flies.
“The health and well-being of children and youth are at the core of Ethiopian Airlines Canada’s mission. We invest in supporting and helping children,” said Birhan Abate, Ethiopian Airlines Canada Country Manager. “It is more than just donating flights, it’s the possibility of improving the quality of life, saving a life and bringing hope. It impacts all of us. We are proud to be part of this.”
“At SickKids, we believe where you live shouldn’t determine if you live,” says Seanna Millar, Senior Vice President, Community & Corporate Partnerships, SickKids Foundation. “We are grateful for donated flights by Ethiopian Airlines Canada as their commitment helps enable SickKids to fight against the greatest challenges in child health.”
The Herbie Fund makes surgeries possible thanks to the generous support of the community and the dedication of clinicians in a wide range of medical divisions at SickKids. Every year, the Herbie Fund enables approximately 30 children from around the world to receive life-saving medical care at SickKids. Since the Fund was established in 1979, over 777 children from 106 countries have received specialized medical and surgical assistance through the fund.
SickKids Foundation is the largest charitable funder of child health research, learning and care in Canada.
About Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the largest growing airline in Africa. For more than 70 years of operation, Ethiopian is the continent’s leading carrier, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.
Ethiopian operates the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 100 international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. The Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft, such as Airbus A350, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200 Freighter, and Bombardier Q-400 double cabin. The average age of the aircraft is five years. Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft.
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