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Are you traveling far distances for your cancer treatments? If so, you may be a candidate for a flight through the Air Charity Network. What may be a long, arduous day of travel may become shorter and less taxing so you may focus on healing rather than driving. There are many “Angels of the Sky” waiting to fly you to your medical destination. Read on to learn how to book your flight…
Great company and a beautiful day for flying in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” to my cancer treatment.
Air Charity Network
(The following information may be found at: http://aircharitynetwork.org/)
Air Charity Network is a charitable organization that provides access for people in need who are seeking free air transportation to specialized health care facilities or distant destinations due to family, community, or national crisis.
Air Charity Network serves all 50 states and its volunteer pilots utilize their own aircraft, fuel and time to provide free air transportation to medical facilities for citizens who are financially distressed or otherwise unable to travel on public transportation.
Air Charity Network members also coordinate flights to fly organ transplant candidates, people involved in clinical trials, chemotherapy or other repetitive treatment, victims of abuse seeking relocation, families receiving help from Ronald McDonald Houses, Shriners Hospitals and many other charities, disabled or sick children to special summer camp programs, and for many other humanitarian reasons.
Combined, the Air Charity Network is the Nation’s largest unified Volunteer Pilot organization comprised of thousands of pilots who annually fly tens of thousands of passengers across the US.
To be automatically connected to your Air Charity Network, call toll-free (877) 621-7177 or go to the network site and click on any of the respective links : http://aircharitynetwork.org/about-us/
Angel Flight Central
My network site is in Angel Flight Central: https://angelflightcentral.org/
Following is information on Angel Flight Central:
I stumbled upon Angel Flight Central when researching a flight to the Cayman Islands for my vaccine. An email inquiry was sent.
Ashley King, Angel Flight Coordinator, replied to my inquiry. I shared with her my hesitancy about booking a flight as it is humbling to receive such a magnanimous offer. Ashley kindly, yet, compassionately talked me through it and reassured me that I was exactly the type of person Angel Flight Central would like to help.
After sharing my treatment days with her, a pilot signed up to take me to my appointment! The following flight itinerary was shared with me:
My pilot, John, called me and reviewed our travel plans one week prior and the night before departure.
Safety is first for pilots. If the weather is not conducive to flying, one needs a Plan B. My Plan B was to have my sister drive me. After two days of snow/ice storms and high winds, John called to share the weather would clear up for our journey.
Our flight was a GO!
John flew his Cessna 4 hours in a headwind to pick me up at my local airport.
With a red nose and an exclamation, “I am not used to this weather!”, John breezed through the airport terminal’s door and introduced himself. At zero degrees (that felt like -14 degrees Fahrenheit), John escorted me to his plane where a plane check was made before departure.
John had flown his Cessna four hours in a headwind from Wisconsin to pick me up in central Minnesota. I was shocked to learn he had flown so far for me!
After my seat belt is buckled, the door locked shut, and my headset on…we are ready for departure. Our destination is 113 nautical miles to the south.
John assured me it was a beautiful and calm day to fly. Cold, yet, beautiful!
I see the pilots as “Angels of the Sky.” They are truly angels for generously providing their time, their planes and their resources to help others in need.
Meet my Angel of the Sky, John Fischer
During our flight, John and I talk through our head sets. He shared that he had recently earned a pin for 75 mission trips with Angel Flight Central. John’s current goal is to fly one patient a month. His future goal is to commit to one flight per week.
Wow! What a kind-hearted and generous individual.
Amazing landing by John in his Cessna!
Touch down in southern Minnesota!
John stayed at the airport to nap in the pilots’ lounge as he had departed in the wee hours.
I had downloaded the Lyft app the week before and had qualified for 10 half-price rides.
When we landed, I easily requested a Lyft ride through the app. Within 9 minutes, my driver arrived and whisked me off to my appointment.
Putting my feet up and resting during my treatment.
I was able to relax during my treatment as I was not tired from the drive.
After my treatment was finished, I arranged a ride through Lyft. Within 3 minutes, my driver arrived and it was back to the airport. I texted John to let him know I was en route.
When I arrived at the airport, John had checked his plane and we were ready for departure.
Heading Home
En route home, my eyes continuously fell shut as the day had been exhausting, yet, invigorating. I fought to keep my eyes open as I didn’t want to miss a moment of the view!
What a blessing to be flown to my appointment and back home again! I am tired, yet, a different tired. I feel empowered, inspired, and ready to help others by paying it forward.
Flying home after my treatment. What is an 8 hour round-trip drive becomes a 2 hour round-trip flight. I am so blessed!
Paying it Forward
My way to pay it forward is to share this amazing service offered by the entire Air Charity Network by word-of-mouth and by blogging.
Patients at my clinic shared they did not know about this service but were interested to learn more about the flights.
As Angel Flight Central states in Our Mission:
Time after time, Angel Flight Central offers HELP and HOPE. The impact we make on a daily basis is substantial and unwavering. Yet the scope of the service we provide remains largely unknown.
To meet the needs associated with our growth and to further expand our services to those in need, we need your help today in securing our future. Our story is simple and powerful. When people do what they love, great things can be accomplished. Our volunteers repeatedly and generously share their love for flight to provide HELP and HOPE for families who are struggling financially, emotionally, and physically.
Please consider giving your support to help us continue our mission of “giving hope wings.”
