The annual STARS Calendar Campaign is underway, and a local man has been named Mr. December.
Josh Bhikoo shared his story with The Drumheller Mail in November of last year. In September 2011, the Drumheller man had to be rushed to a Calgary hospital via STARS for what appeared to be a heart attack. This was a shock for the man, then 31, he had quit smoking and had logged in the area of 8,000 kilometres on his bike that year.
It turns out STARS saved his life. When he arrived in Calgary he was rushed into surgery where doctors performed an angioplasty and put a stent in his heart. He was on life support for nine days following the surgery, but within three weeks he was home.
A lot has happened in the meantime. Bhikoo has since learned, after 36 doctors looked at his case, it was possibly a blood clot from a bruise that caused his heart problems.
He has made a remarkable recovery, but still has a long way to go before he is back to work. He is doing cardiac rehabilitation five times a week in Drumheller and in Calgary, and by December he was back on his bike.
What is more incredible is his dedication to STARS following his medical ordeal.
Within a month of the incident he began working on the Red Ring For Life project. This is a fundraiser for STARS, and Fountain Tire is a partner. Bhikoo said the campaign was a success, and they were able to sell many of the stainless steel red rings to support the air ambulance.
He was also involved with the Old Grouch’s 24 Hour Jam this year, which raised a record $18,000. Bhikoo will be speaking at the Rumsey Ride for STARS coming up on Sunday, August 12. In the meantime he is also spearheading the STARS annual Calendar Campaign in Drumheller.
This is the 19th annual year for the STARS Calendar and each year a half million doors will be knocked on to sell the calendar. He explains the STARS program has been expanding and last fall they launched in Winnipeg. Last spring they began service in Regina and this fall will be flying out of Saskatoon. In Alberta there are bases in Calgary, Edmonton and Grande Prairie.
Calendars are just $30 and includes a box of special STARS bandages. He is looking for supporters and community groups to help go door-to-door in Drumheller and has received a positive response.
