A Lifeline in the Skies for Our Passenger Evalyn December 19, 2024 For Susie, a mother from a small town without traffic lights, Angel Flight West has become a lifeline. Her daughter Evalyn was born with numerous medical challenges, including non-verbal autism, a cleft foot , and a condition that required a feeding tube, and she needs regular trips to Seattle Children’s Hospital. Recently, Evalyn was also diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, which has added more complexity to her car… Jessica Theis Read More »
From Bubble Boy to Social Butterfly: Meet One-Year-Old Dean December 19, 2024 One-year-old Dean was born last September, a happy and seemingly healthy baby. So, when Razan and her husband Hisham received a call from the hospital after returning home, the news was unexpected — and overwhelming. Dean underwent a routine screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), a rare genetic disorder, and the results confirmed a diagnosis of Artemis deficiency, an even rarer form that occurs… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Protected: 5th Annual Flights of Joy December 19, 2024 Angel Flight West’s volunteer pilots deliver gifts to patients and their families during the 5th Annual Flights of Joy program. Jessica Hayes Read More »
Rick’s Legacy: Why His Family Gives November 22, 2024 From 2014 to 2017, our passenger Rick and his wife Linda flew with Angel Flight West to access Rick’s experimental treatment for brain cancer at University of California San Francisco (UCSF), almost nine hours away by car from the couple’s Eugene home. Rick passed away in August 2017, leaving behind a legacy of love. Upon his diagnosis, Rick was only expected to live for 14 months, but his expert medical team ex… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Paul’s Fight with Pancreatic Cancer November 12, 2024 For Paul, living in the small, tranquil community of Eastsound, Washington on Orcas Island with his wife Mollie and dog brings him an unparalleled sense of peace. “It’s one of the most beautiful places on the West Coast,” he says. “We can see the boats down below and all of the other islands.” And while it’s the perfect place to heal and rest, it’s also an exhausting three-and-a-half hours away from Paul’s pancreatic ca… Jessica Hayes Read More »
The Big L Love: From AFW’s Passenger Jonathan October 16, 2024 In September 2024, AFW’s passenger Jonathan shared his testimonial at AFW’s 2024 Golf Classic. My name is Jonathan and I’m honored to be here to share my story with you. It was 2012, and I was in my late 30s—healthy, fit, and feeling invincible. After serving as a flight attendant with American Airlines for almost 10 years, a job that took me to 53 countries, I started my own event planning company. O… Jessica Hayes Read More »
From a Hospice Social Worker: Larry’s Flight with JSX September 24, 2024 Joni Jackson, a Hospice Social Worker at Elevation Hospice of Colorado, shares her experience with Angel Flight West and her memorable flight with patient Larry: I am a hospice social worker and started caring for Larry in August 2023. He had suffered a stroke and had physical and cognitive impairments as a result. His wife had been struggling with her own health and could not care for Larry at home. He moved into a skil… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Meet Amelia — Frontier/Rural Patient Navigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute September 6, 2024 Meet our healthcare partner, Amelia. As a part of Huntsman Cancer Institute, she and fellow navigators help connect patients with AFW’s donated flight services. Having grown up in a rural area, Amelia knows the challenges patients face when needing to receive far-off care. We’re grateful to work with compassionate healthcare requesters like Amelia to help more patients on the runway to recovery. 1… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Thomas’ Thank You to Alaska Airlines August 8, 2024 Thank you to our partner, Alaska Airlines, for helping us support incredible passengers like Thomas. Through this partnership, Thomas has been able to travel annually from his home in Anchorage to Denver for essential follow-up care for 20 years. For more than 20 years, Alaska Airlines has partnered with AFW to help people in Alaska access treatment in the Lower 48. Their ongoing help, both through donated tickets… afw_web_admin Read More »
Passenger Spotlight: Nubia’s Journey With Angel Flight West July 23, 2024 Cancer doesn’t just affect your body — it touches every aspect of a patient’s life. Nubia knows that experience well, sharing both the challenges and encouragement she’s come across during her healthcare journey. After battling metastatic breast cancer for nearly six years, Nubia says she feels “immense gratitude” for each new day she’s been given. Her battle hasn’t been easy, but she’s glad to have found a networ… Manal Chaali Read More »
When Cancer Care is States Away: Meet Frank July 3, 2024 Denise and Frank were college sweethearts. They met while attending school in Costa Mesa, Calif., enjoying their lives as young musicians. Today, celebrating 45 years of marriage, the couple lives in Meridian, Idaho, only a few houses away from their adored children and grandchildren. And just as talented in the world of musical theatre as he was decades ago, Frank knew something was off when he felt his lips weaken… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Shine’s First Camp Adventure: Flights for Burn Survivors July 2, 2024 Like most toddlers, Shine was filled with curiosity, eager to discover the world, often reaching up high for things she wanted to see up close. In the blink of an eye, one-year-old Shine reached for a bowl of freshly made hot soup sitting on the kitchen counter, pouring the hot liquid onto her upper chest and right arm. “My husband Patrick rushed Shine into the bathroom, and I remember saying ‘cold water, cold water,’’ s… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Remybelle Flies with Angels: Attending the National Organization for Rare Disorders Forum July 2, 2024 Earlier this month, AFW’s volunteer pilots Mariya Anderson and Sanjay Saigal flew AFW’s passenger Remybelle and her mother Belinda to the The 2024 NORD® Living Rare, Living Stronger® Patient and Family Forum in Los Angeles, Calif. NORD stands for the National Organization for Rare Disorders, and gives people affected by rare diseases an opportunity to discover resources and compassionate support. Jaime Pache… Jessica Hayes Read More »
National Cancer Survivors Day: Meet AFW Passenger Cheryl May 31, 2024 As part of National Cancer Survivors Month, June 2 is National Cancer Survivors Day (NCSD). According to the NCSD Foundation, it’s a day of “celebration for those who have survived, an inspiration for those recently diagnosed, a gathering of support for families, and an outreach to the community.” AFW Volunteer Pilot Phillip Council flies Cheryl and her companion Brian home after Cheryl’s surgery No matte… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Spotlight on an Angel: Meet Two-Year-Old Taylor May 21, 2024 The beginning of 2024 came, and Taylor was an active two-year-old trying her best to keep up with her three older sisters all the while trying to show the world she was the boss, which in some cases, she was! Then out of nowhere, she developed what we now know is called Opsoclonus-Myoclonus-Ataxia syndrome which is a rare neurological disorder affecting only one in 5 million children each year. The first noticeable sym… Jessica Hayes Read More »
