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STARS launches 30th edition of lottery

More than 2,100 prizes valued at $4.8 million up for grabs
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STARS helped save Jace Thorsteinson’s life when he was just 14 years old. The now 21-year-old shared his story during the launch of the 30th STARS Lottery at the Red Deer Regional Airport on Thursday. (Photo by Sean McIntosh/Advocate staff)

A central Alberta man recalled how a STARS air ambulance helped save his life as the organization launched the 30th edition of its annual lottery.

Jace Thorsteinson, who was raised northwest of Gadsby, had to be transferred to Calgary via air ambulance following an accident in 2015 when he was 14 years old.

“It started out just like any other day. We had to get stock ready for the upcoming rodeo that weekend,” recalled Thorsteinson, who now lives in Stettler.

“We jumped on our practice horses, ran the practice steers in. Me and my partner drew this bigger-framed steer and I roped him around the neck – when that happens you can’t really grab a hold of him. Right as the steer hit the end of the rope, my horses stumbled … causing me to hit my head on the ground. I was knocked unconscious immediately.”

Thorsteinson’s family called 911 and a ground ambulance came to pick him up. That ambulance met up with a STARS air ambulance in Red Deer.

“My case was pretty time sensitive,” Thorsteinson said, adding he was in the ICU at a Calgary children’s hospital for nine days.

“I’ve always known about STARS being an Alberta boy, but I never fully knew about what they did. I was blown away by their speed and how fast they were able to act. … It was like 25 minutes from Red Deer to Calgary – speed is what I needed then.”

Thorsteinson is one of many who have been saved thanks to STARS, which will offer Albertans a chance to win more than 2,100 prizes valued at $4.8 million through its annual lottery.

There are three dream home grand prizes this year: a $1.1 million home in Calgary, a $968,000 home in Edmonton and a $905,000 home in Lethbridge. Other prizes include a $178,498 RV, two luxury vehicles and four vacations. Additionally, the LUCKY STARS 50/50 is back and will see one winner receive up to $4.5 million.

Mike Lamacchia, STARS provincial operations chief operating officer, said this the organization’s largest fundraiser and brings in about $11 million a year.

“Typically for us to operate a base 24/7 costs near $10 million. In essence, whether it’s (the base in) Edmonton, Calgary, Grand Prairie, this money funds that base for an entire year,” Lamacchia said.

Lamacchia warned Albertans about phone scams surrounding the STARS Lottery.

“There have been reports of people getting a call and being told they’ve won a prize in the STARS Lottery … but in order for them to claim their prize, they’d have to send $50. An alarm should being going off because that doesn’t happen,” Lamacchia stressed.

“If you’ve won a prize, we’re not going to be asking for money. Unfortunately, scams happen. Scammers will target lotteries that are very successful and have a well-known brand.”

Tickets can be purchased at starslottery.ca.



sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com

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… speaks during the launch of the 30th STARS Lottery at the Red Deer Regional Airport on Thursday. (Photo by Sean McIntosh/Advocate staff)


Sean McIntosh

About the Author: Sean McIntosh

Sean joined the Red Deer Advocate team in the summer of 2017. Originally from Ontario, he worked in a small town of 2,000 in Saskatchewan for seven months before coming to Central Alberta.
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