More than $105,000 was raised in Manitoba during the Critical Care On The Air Radiothon for STARS Air Ambulance this week.

On May 16 and 17 communities across the province heard the stories from patients and their families of how STARS saves lives.

STARS Development Officer Lori Derksen explains they're 89 percent government funded and receive 11 percent from donations. She notes fundraising dollars are used for cutting-edge medical care, "that extra bit that wouldn't be part of our program without funding from donors."

The STARS helicopter is sometimes considered a "flying ICU"

STARS Air Ambulance representative Michael Kowalson notes before STARS came to Manitoba, too many people were dying needlessly in rural areas.

The Winnipeg STARS base opened in 2012 to provide direct transport to hospital. He notes it's approximately 25 minutes from a ditch in Southern Manitoba to hospital in Winnipeg by helicopter, inside what emergency personel refer to as the 'golden hour'. The time refers to the 60 minutes after a traumatic injury, during which the likelihood of survival is highest if the patient receives medical treatment.

STARS also opened a helipad on the roof of the Health Sciences Centre's Diagnostic Centre of Excellence in 2016, making access to care even quicker.

Derksen notes while the radiothon has come to an end residents can still make a donation online or by calling the Winnipeg base.  A sincere thank you to all who donated to the STARS Critical Care on the Air Radiothon.