PORTLAND — Registration is underway for the 2021 Cross for LifeFlight, taking place Aug. 1-31.

The Cross for LifeFlight event aims to raise $450,000 to expand and sustain LifeFlight, Maine’s only emergency medical helicopter service.

The people of Maine rely on LifeFlight to quickly cross vast expanses of water and land to deliver ICU-level care to every corner of the state. Each year, LifeFlight of Maine transports thousands of patients across the state and provides critical care for those in need. As a nonprofit, Lifeflight depends on support from individuals, businesses, foundations, and municipalities to operate and grow this essential lifesaving service in Maine.

Traditionally held as an in-person swim event known as the “Islesboro Crossing,” the 2021 Cross for LifeFlight has been expanded and reimagined as a statewide, self-led outdoor adventure challenge. Over the past four years, the Cross for LifeFlight has raised more than $2 million to upgrade and standardize LifeFlight’s fleet of helicopters, purchase the specialized equipment needed on board, and to fund important clinical education and training programs across the state.

Cross for LifeFlight participants have the flexibility to create their own challenge, from simple distance walked to peaks climbed. Participants can “cross” whenever, wherever, and however they choose during August. There is no distance requirement, and participants are encouraged to form teams to spark friendly competition and camaraderie. Last year’s event saw more than 200 Mainers cross more than 1,500 miles and raise $245,000 to support LifeFlight.

“The Cross for LifeFlight has been deliberately designed as a flexible, self-led, inclusive challenge event to attract people from across the state of all ages and abilities,” said Kate O’Halloran, executive director of the LifeFlight Foundation, according to a news release. “That goal is directly aligned with the mission of LifeFlight — making access to critical care possible for every person in Maine, regardless of who and where they are.”

“Our aircraft are deployed on a mission, on average, every four hours — they get a lot of use,” said O’Halloran. “In the last year, we welcomed two new helicopters to our fleet to better serve the people of Maine. That was only possible due to funds raised through the Cross For LifeFlight in previous years. Now we are asking for more people to get involved to help us complete the fleet and bring the third and final aircraft of this fleet upgrade to Maine in 2022. That’s a $6.5 million challenge.”

To learn more about Cross for LifeFlight, visit lifeflight.donordrive.com.