Hope Air supports Islanders and their families facing medical travel
When Don Koebrich looks back on the most difficult moments of his family’s life, what stands out is not just the hospitals or the long trips off the Island.
It’s the people who showed up and helped when his family needed it most.
For Don, his wife Emme and their two children from Summerside, Hope Air became one of the supports they could rely on when everything else felt overwhelming.
That made a lasting difference for the Koebrich family when their son, Kyle Christopher, known as KC, needed specialized medical care at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax.
Hope Air is a national charity that helps patients and families who need to travel for medical care. Through a long‑standing partnership with the provincial Department of Health and Wellness, Hope Air supports eligible Islanders with free flights, ferry and bridge passes, gas cards, meals, and accommodations.
“We had the ultimate luxury of focusing on our family by not having to worry about the other expenses and stresses that Hope Air took care of,” Don says.
KC was diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects multiple systems in the body and requires care from many specialists.
Frequent appointments meant regular travel off the Island, all while the family continued caring for their young daughter at home. It was a lot to manage during an already stressful time.
Beyond the practical support, Don remembers the kindness shown by Hope Air staff. They checked in regularly and took the time to ask about the whole family, helping them feel seen and supported through a difficult journey.
“It’s not just the fact that they were there, it’s that they were there for anything,” says Don.
Today, the Koebrich family is in a more settled place and no longer relies on Hope Air’s services on a regular basis. However, their Hope Air chapter isn’t completely closed, as KC is expected to need additional surgeries in the coming years.
Even so, Don feels strongly about sharing their experience, so other families know help is available when they need it most.
“I believe there’s a reason for everything, and there is a REASON KC is here with us today,” Don says. “Part of that reason surely is to spread the word about Hope Air.”
Looking back, Don reflects not only on how hard the journey was, but what it meant for him as a father.
“As a dad, I’m honored to have gone through this for my son and with my son,” he says. “This was a devastating experience, but it was made so much better through their help.”
On Hope Air Day, May 6, and as the organization celebrates its 40th anniversary, the Koebrich family’s experience shows the important role Hope Air plays in caring for Islanders, offering reliable and practical help to families across the province and the country.
The Government of Prince Edward Island has partnered with Hope Air since 1988 to help eligible Islanders access medical travel support. This long‑standing partnership helps families manage the added costs and planning that come with needing care outside the province.
Islanders who need to travel for medical care can find information about Hope Air and other travel supports by visiting Hope Air and PEI’s Out-of- Province Medical Travel Support page.