Help Us Give Back to STARS & JoeAnna’s House

Hello friends, family, and community members,

On May 21st, 2025, the 17th anniversary of Mark and Debbie O’Callaghan’s move to Canada a devastating accident turned their world upside down.

Just after 6:30am, only ten minutes after leaving their home in Creston, BC for a quick overnight trip to Camrose, Alberta, their truck was involved in a catastrophic crash with a loaded logging truck.

While the details are still under investigation, we can share this much: in a split-second decision to avoid a head-on collision, Mark veered toward a gap in the highway’s concrete barrier. Moments later, the logging truck lost control and took out a long stretch of those barriers—sending two full trailer loads of logs crashing down the embankment… and on top of their pickup truck.

It’s a miracle they survived.

Debbie was pinned between the front seat and the passenger door, her feet in the footwell and her head resting in the back seat. Mark was trapped between the steering wheel and his seat, with his head out the window—logs stopping just a foot or two from his face.

They were trapped for over two hours, supported first by a kind YRB employee named Duncan, then rescued with incredible care by first responders working under intense pressure to keep the logs stable.

What followed was a whirlwind of emergency care, multiple surgeries, and ongoing treatment at Kelowna General Hospital, where they continue to recover.

In the midst of this trauma, two organizations stood out for their extraordinary support:

STARS Air Ambulance

STARS is a community-supported helicopter ambulance service that brings advanced care directly to the scene. They were there when Mark and Debbie needed them most, a lifeline in their worst moment.

JoeAnna’s House

JoeAnna’s House provides safe, welcoming accommodations just steps from KGH for families with loved ones in hospital. It’s where I (Laura) have been staying, so I can be close to my mum and dad, as home is 5 hours away from Kelowna General Hospital. It has truly been a home away from home.

Why We’re Fundraising

This isn’t a personal fundraiser.

This is a thank you fundraiser—a way for Mark, Debbie, and all of us to give back to these two life-changing organizations.

Every dollar raised will be split equally:

➡️ 50% to STARS Air Ambulance

➡️ 50% to JoeAnna’s House

There’s no specific goal, we just want to raise as much as we can to support the services that have helped our family and for future families through the unthinkable.

Whether you give $5 or $50, your donation will help someone else’s family in their moment of need.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for every prayer, every message, every visit, and every act of kindness.

And thank you for helping us pay it forward.

With love and gratitude,

Laura Keeran (on behalf of Mark & Debbie O’Callaghan)