Thirteen children facing serious illness shared in a once-in-a-lifetime experience with their families; a two-day rail adventure aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, travelling from Banff, Alberta to Vancouver, British Columbia on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
The experience, donated by Rocky Mountaineer in partnership with Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada, offered families a rare opportunity to step away from medical routines and treatments, replacing them with breathtaking scenery, laughter, and cherished family time.
Thanks to flights provided through Aeroplan and the Air Canada Foundation, Starlight families from every corner of the country started their unforgettable journey in Banff, uniting children and parents from coast to coast. Together, they represented the diverse experiences of families living with serious illness across Canada, each child carrying a unique story of courage and resilience.
Among the children aboard was nine-year-old Akshat from Brantford, who lives with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, is non-verbal, and relies on his parents for support with everyday tasks like eating and moving around. With days often filled with therapy and medical appointments, uninterrupted family time can be hard to come by. This Rocky Mountaineer adventure gave Akshat and his family a peaceful escape, far from the demands of their daily medical routine.
“Travelling with a child who has cerebral palsy comes with unique challenges. This journey has given us the chance to slow down and reconnect, without the stress that typically comes with travel,” shared Akshat’s mom, Vinita. “Thank you so much for this wonderful experience and for making this journey possible, and for creating memories that we will cherish for a lifetime.”
During the journey, Starlight families enjoyed a range of onboard surprises and entertainment, including bingo games, sing-alongs, live caricature drawings, and shared laughs with Captain Starlight, Starlight Canada’s beloved superhero.
“Families facing childhood illness spend so much of their lives in survival mode. What they rarely have are moments to breathe deeply, look out the window, and simply feel joy together,” said Brian Bringolf, CEO of Starlight Canada. “Thanks to Rocky Mountaineer and the Air Canada Foundation, our Starlight families were given that gift. These are the moments at the core of our mission: moments remembered not for illness, but for laughter, connection, beauty, and hope.”
“We are proud to partner with Starlight Children’s Foundation once again to offer deserving families a memorable journey onboard our train,” shared Dallas Carlson, Manager, Communications at Rocky Mountaineer. “Our team truly loves hosting these children and their families and doing whatever possible to ensure they can relax, connect, and enjoy quality time together.”
“These journeys give families a chance to step away from the weight of everyday challenges and enjoy being together,” added Marie-Claire Desroches, Manager, Community Impact and Events at the Air Canada Foundation. “Travel has a remarkable way of opening hearts, creating joy, and strengthening bonds. We’re proud to help make these moments possible and hope each family returned home with beautiful memories and a renewed sense of connection.”
This marks the fourth consecutive year that Rocky Mountaineer and the Air Canada Foundation have partnered with Starlight Canada to create this unique escape for families across the country. Each year, children facing medical challenges return home not only with breathtaking memories, but also with renewed strength.
