Backus event celebrates LIFE STAR anniversary and advocates for its future

As LIFE STAR helicopter flew off the helipad for another potentially life-saving mission, more than 100 people gathered to celebrate its 10th anniversary at Backus Hospital and advocate for its future.

"How's that for a show and tell," said Backus Director of Pastoral Care Sister Rita Johnson, whose invocation was interrupted by the helicopter's takeoff to transport a cardiac patient.

The event Saturday, held in the hangar outside the Backus Emergency Department, was designed to celebrate 10 years of Hartford Hospital's LIFE STAR helicopter program at Backus and to advocate for its future, which is in doubt due to the state deficit and impending budget battle. It included speeches, a LIFE STAR cake-cutting, a cookout and a video featuring local survivors and LIFE STAR staff.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell has proposed eliminating the $1.39-million subsidy the state provides to Hartford Hospital to operate the $7-million-a-year program, which includes a helicopter at Backus and one at Hartford Hospital. Nearly 500 of LIFE STAR's 1,200 annual patient transports originate from Backus.

The program received a glimmer of hope on Thursday, when the Appropriations Committee released its proposed biennial budget for 2010 and 2011. The proposed budget preserves funding for LIFE STAR. But this may change as legislative committees continue to stem the state's budget deficit, estimated at more than $8 million over two years.

"I know you have some more work to do," said Backus President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas P. Pipicelli, addressing legislators who attended Saturday's event. "But I want to thank our eastern Connecticut delegation for their support. It's going to be a hard job...but I don't know how you put a value on a life."

Legislators who attended the event and pledged their support included Kevin Ryan; Betsy Ritter; Tom Reynolds; Andrea Stillman; Linda Orange; Melissa Olson; and Edith Prague, who was one of the speakers.

"The future of LIFE STAR is now up to the governor," Sen. Prague said, referring to the fact that the Democratic budget has restored LIFE STAR funding. Sen. Prague, along with other legislators on hand, urged the audience to continue to send emails and letters to the governor's office supporting LIFE STAR.

Kenneth Robinson, MD, LIFE STAR Medical Director and Program Director at Hartford Hospital, explained that in its 24 years of existence, the helicopter has landed in every Connecticut town and every hospital.

"This loss in state funding would most likely result in a decrease in services and most likely a decrease in services for the citizens of southeastern Connecticut," he said.

State Rep. Linda Orange, also a Backus Corporator, joined many at the event in thanking LIFE STAR staff for their life saving efforts. She also praised all of the EMS personnel in the region for all they do, every day.

"Just knowing LIFE STAR is available is comforting," added State Sen. Andrea Stillman.

State Rep. Betsy Ritter cautioned that this is not the first time that LIFE STAR cuts have been proposed, so she urged everyone to fight a proposal that seems to keep resurfacing.

"Today we mark both a milestone and a crossroads," said Backus Vice President for Corporate Communications Keith Fontaine. "But most importantly, perhaps, we are thankful today for the lives that have been saved, and the heroic efforts of the specially trained LIFE STAR crew who maneuver this airborne ambulance with such care and skill."

Read legislators' comments>>>

LIFE STAR survivors

Bridgette Landry
Stroke Patient

"Without LIFE STAR I don't know if I would be sitting here today talking to you right now. If it saves one life, that's one life that is still here today because of that helicopter."

Debra Moran and son
Arthur Moran
Arthur was a trauma patient

"When I heard that LIFE STAR might be cut my heart sunk. How can you put a price tag on someone's life; your own child's life, your motherʼs life, your husband's life? LIFE STAR saves lives, itʼs there for a reason and it shouldn't be taken away from Eastern Connecticut.

Joseph Buyak
Hartford Police Department Captain and a cardiac patient

"I can understand that we're in tough economic times and I can respect an administrator's position on trying to save a buck. However ... doing away with a program like that, in that (rural) part of the state, is absurd. If you save one life by using the LIFE STAR helicopter then itʼs all worth it. I hope and pray that they'll make the right decision and keep it where it should be."