Throughout the pandemic, we have seen what it’s like for nurses and doctors working in COVID units.
Nearing the end of the year, our health care system continues to be spread thin. One non-profit organization playing a critical role in helping treat COVID-19 patients is LifeFlight of Maine.

The American Red Cross and LifeFlight of Maine partnered today to provide a very important gift this holiday season. Their blood drive took place at the Anah Shrine Temple in Bangor. Organizers said turnout was strong despite the snowy weather – and it’s a good thing, too.

LifeFlight of Maine helicopters have transported COVID-19 patients in need of more acute care since the start of the pandemic. But now, the combined pressures of a stubborn pandemic that won’t subside and a stressed medical system that’s short on beds and staff are catching up with the emergency helicopter service that’s been around since 1998.

On behalf of everyone who works to keep Maine safe every day — our healthcare, our public safety, our teachers and our business workers, along with everyone helping their community public health efforts to contain and defeat COVID — please help us save lives and make sure there are no more empty chairs this year.

A jump in COVID hospitalizations in Maine is just adding to the existing strain on hospitals. With a lack of available beds, LifeFlight of Maine is flying patients out of state, sometimes as far away as Connecticut. The service is called in for some of the most critical patients to transfer them to hospitals across the state.