September 11, 2024
Hartford Hospital is grateful to The Hometown Foundation for selecting Hartford HealthCare’s LIFE STAR as the beneficiary for their 2024 Birdies & Horsepower community fundraiser event. Thanks to their generous philanthropic support, LIFE STAR received a $52,000 donation that will be used to equip each of the program’s three helicopters with the revolutionary Baby Pod system.
“Every life is precious and we are humbled at the opportunity to raise funds to help our community stay strong,” said Michael Bozzuto, Founder of The Hometown Foundation and Dream Ride. “We are proudly in the 24th year of The Hometown Foundation—each day brings new challenges and the demand for help is at an all-time high. Seeing the results makes all the effort worthwhile. We remain dedicated to ensuring our community is resilient and ready for any obstacles that may arise. We express our gratitude to Hartford HealthCare for their ongoing support in keeping our community healthy and thriving.”
World-renowned trauma surgeon, Hartford Hospital Lifetime Achievement recipient, and creator of the LIFE STAR program Lenworth M. Jacobs, MD, MPH, FACS was invited to be a featured speaker at the June 2024 event, where he illustrated the success and critical nature of this invaluable service that transports up to 1,400 patients annually.
Using the same technology, materials, and design features that protect Formula 1 race car drivers, the Baby Pod provides the security, safety, and warmth that newborn infants require during medical transport—particularly when traveling via helicopter. In addition, the Baby Pod is lighter than previously available technology, easier to handle, and able to attach to any available transport stretcher—providing our LIFE STAR crews and on-the-ground caregivers with enhanced safety, speed, and resources that can save young, fragile lives.
“We are grateful to The Hometown Foundation and our dear friend Michael Bozzuto for their partnership and longtime support of Hartford HealthCare, our LIFE STAR program, our most vulnerable patients, and their loved ones,” said Lynn B. Rossini, VP, Philanthropy, Hartford Hospital. “This gift will have a substantial impact on thousands of lives throughout our region, in addition to greatly enhancing newborn transportation and the critical care we provide to the communities we serve. We are thankful for their investment in us and congratulate their organization, leadership, and supporters on another highly successful Birdies & Horsepower event.”
About LIFE STAR
LIFE STAR is a critical care helicopter service providing air transport for a variety of patients requiring care at a tertiary care facility. Created in 1985 by world-renowned Hartford Hospital trauma surgeon Dr. Lenworth M. Jacobs, the program has three helicopters, each based at separate facilities throughout the region to maximize reach, efficiency, and accessibility to Hartford HealthCare’s world-class care. LIFE STAR is available 24/7/365 and transports between 1,200 and 1,400 patients annually. Our crews consist of a flight nurse, flight respiratory therapist, pilot, mechanic, and communication specialist.
If you are interested in providing philanthropic support to the LIFE STAR program please contact a member of our Philanthropy Team.