Japan Airlines knows it takes a lot of groundwork to get its fleet of planes in the air. And that groundwork extends to supporting a healthy community.
For the past four years, Japan Airlines has been a generous sponsor of Richmond Hospital Foundation’s Starlight Gala.
"As a company, we want to contribute to the community," says Satoshi Abe, VP and Regional Manager Americas, Pacific Northwest. "We want to help the hospital that is nearest to the airport."
Japan Airlines celebrated 50 years of flying into Vancouver International Airport with a special ceremony at YVR on Sept. 10. The carrier's first trip to YVR was Flight 12 on a DC 8 in 1968. Back then, it was two flights a week. Nowadays, Japan Airlines has daily flights from Vancouver to Tokyo and back on a 787 Dreamliner, with connections to 18 other cities throughout the Pacific Rim and Asia.
Nearly 24 million travelers come through Vancouver International Airport annually. Should a passenger need urgent medical attention, they are most often sent to Richmond Hospital's Emergency Department. On the few occasions Japan Airlines has had a passenger who has become ill, Richmond Hospital was there to offer excellent care.
“We really appreciate the hospital. It is very important to have emergency health care nearby,” says Abe. “We want to support a new hospital tower not only for our passengers, but for the entire community.”
Abe did part of his schooling in Wakayama, Japan, which is Richmond's sister city. Just as there are strong links between Wakayama and Richmond, Abe is proud of the relationship between Japan Airlines and Richmond Hospital.
Part of Japan Airlines’ corporate policy, explains Abe, is to “contribute to the betterment of society.”
“We believe it is very important to have excellent health care in the community. That is why we are honoured to support Richmond Hospital Foundation and the Starlight Gala.”
The Starlight Gala is Richmond Hospital Foundation’s signature black tie gala and the most inspirational evening in the city. On Saturday, Oct. 27, more than 400 philanthropists, business leaders, and community leaders will come together to celebrate the work of Richmond Hospital’s talented health care professionals to help raise funds for much-needed improvements to health care for our community.
Since its inception 20 years ago, the Starlight Gala has raised more than $6 million for high-quality patient care, equipment and facilities.
