'I will meet her one day': Calgary man touched by WestJet employee's help to visit dying sister - Action News
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'I will meet her one day': Calgary man touched by WestJet employee's help to visit dying sister

A Calgary man given "buddy passes" by a WestJet employee so he could visit his dying sister in Ottawa says he was touched by the unexpected gift.

'I would say thank you very much for letting me see my sister before she died'

A WestJet Boeing plane sits at an airport gate.
A Calgarian is very grateful after a WestJet employee donated her buddy passes to help the man see his dying sister in Ottawa. (Albert Couillard/CBC)

The Calgary man given "buddy passes" by a WestJet employee so he could visit his dying sister says he was touched by the unexpected gift.

Andrew Bechampresides in Calgary but his sister who is dying from cancer lives in Ottawa. Bechamp couldn't afford a plane ticket tovisit his sister so his friend KellieMartin contacted WestJetto see if the airlinewould offer a discount.

But an employee named Susan Smith went the extra mile and gaveBechamptwoof her own discounted tickets, calledbuddy passes, so he could see his sister one last time.

"It was very touching,"Bechampsaid of Smith'sact of kindness. "I went down in March for (my sister's) birthday.To see her now, how much weight she lost, I don't know how to describe it, to tell the truth."

WestJetgives theiremployeesbuddy passes, which they can give to family and friends. A buddy pass isn't a freeflight but it does significantlyreduce the cost of flying.

"I wish they could take me instead of her"

Bechampflew to Ottawa last week.He is now back in Calgaryand said he is very thankful for the chance to see his sister in hospital, who has returned home for her final days.

Bechampsuffered a heart attack earlier this year andsaid 2017 has been difficultfor thefamily.

"I wish they could take me instead of her,we had a terrible year so far,"Bechampsaid.

The oldest of five siblings, Bechamp said his dying sister is his next of kin, andSusan's unexpected act of kindness has meant so much to him that he would like to say thank you in person.

Bechampsaid he has contactedSmithbut does not know where she lives.

"I sent her an e-mail saying if she ever comes to Calgary, call me, we'll take her out for supper,"Bechampsaid.

"I would say thank you very much for letting me see my sister before she died. I will meet her one day."