Today marks the start of the Aeroplan Points Matching Week in support of the Air Canada Foundation’s Hospital Transportation Program. Members can make donations that will be matched through the support of Aeroplan’s partners until Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. The program relies on the generous donations from Aeroplan Members to provide relief for families across Canada whose children need to travel for medical care and treatment.
“Each year, Aeroplan Points Matching Week shows the remarkable difference we can make when our members and partners come together in support of children and families who need to travel for essential medical care,” said Éric Lauzon, Director, Community Relations & Partnerships at Air Canada. “We are deeply grateful for the continued generosity of Aeroplan Members and our participating partners, whose support helps ease the journey for families during some of life’s most challenging moments.”
Aeroplan has expanded the group of partners that will participate in this year’s Points Matching Week. Returning partners include TD, CIBC and American Express, while new partners include Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty. Thanks to their generosity, each point donated can have up to eight times the impact, supporting even more children who need to travel for essential medical care. For full details of how points will be matched
In 2025, more than 35 million points were donated to the Air Canada Foundation Hospital Transportation Program’s partners, supporting nearly 500 families through 605 trips.
From Patient to National Program Ambassador: Sylas’s Story
At age 13, what first appeared to be a biking accident became a life-threatening medical emergency. The impact forced part of Sylas’s jaw into his skull and caused internal bleeding. He was urgently transferred to BC Children’s Hospital, where a specialized team provided the critical care he needed.
Thanks to the Air Canada Foundation’s Hospital Transportation Program, Sylas and his family travelled between Cranbrook and Vancouver for surgeries, scans and ongoing treatment. By covering the cost of travel, the program removed a significant financial and logistical burden, allowing his family to focus on his recovery.
“These flights were such a godsend for us. Everything was covered, and it was all done with so much softness and care. It not only eased the financial burden, but it also eased my heart. It meant I could show up for Sylas in every way he needed, without wondering how we were going to manage each trip,” said Jen, Sylas’s mom.
Today, Sylas is 15 and thriving. He is starting Grade 11, works at a local golf course in Kimberley, B.C., and enjoys golfing, mountain biking, camping and spending time on the water. As the 2026 Air Canada Foundation National Hospital Transportation Program Ambassador, Sylas represents the hundreds of children and families who rely on the program to access essential medical treatment far from home.
