Flights of Hope: Meet AFW Passenger Mark April 14, 2025 Mark was living in Orange County, Calif., helping run art galleries and operating a business as a benefit auctioneer. In 2021, his career came to a halt when Mark moved to Reno to become a full-time caregiver for his 92-year-old father. Less than two years later, Mark received a devastating diagnosis of stage 4 soft tissue sarcoma, a rare cancer in the body’s soft tissues. His battle began in May 2023. For years, Mark ha… Gloriann Figueroa Read More »
A Letter to Supporters of the Dr. Randy Sherman Access for All Fund March 17, 2025 When weather or location keeps our volunteer pilots from flying, or when someone needs help with ground transportation between airports and medical facilities, our Dr. Randy Sherman Access for All Fund allows AFW to purchase airline tickets, bus tickets, and even rideshare services to make travel possible for people in need. Our passenger Tia recently shared an open letter to supporters of the Dr. Randy Sh… Gloriann Figueroa Read More »
AFW Passenger Julie: Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome March 12, 2025 Even as a child, Julie always felt weak. She walked late, didn’t learn to ride a bike, and eventually had to undergo five foot surgeries. But it wasn’t until 18 months ago that she received an answer: a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, an incurable genetic condition that affects the joints, muscles, and other physical functions. In her search for the best treatment, Julie found a doct… Jessica Hayes Read More »
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 »
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 »
