A Fond Farewell: Cheri Reflects on Josh Olson’s Time at AFW February 25, 2025 From AFW Associate Executive Director Cheri Cimmarrusti Josh and I have had an incredible journey over the past twenty years! From sitting at the auditorium table in the corner of my office and working for me for nine years, to becoming my boss for the last 11 years – it has been quite the ride. I could talk about his many accomplishments, but those speak for themselves. Here is a little bit abo… Gloriann Figueroa Read More »
AFW Announces New Board Chair and Board Members February 19, 2025 New Board Chair Emily Deaton Emily Deaton is the Chief Executive Officer of jetAVIVA, one of the world’s largest private jet sales organizations by total annual transaction volume. Since joining jetAVIVA in 2019, she has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth, first as Vice President of Sales and then as Chief Operating Officer before assuming the role of CEO. Deaton began her aviation career with Emb… Gloriann Figueroa Read More »
Meet the New Leaders of AFW’s Wyoming Wing! February 19, 2025 JT Grainger Bob Meyers Meet AFW’s new Wyoming Wing Leader, J.T. Grainger and Deputy Wing Leader, Bob Meyers! J.T. Grainger J.T. Grainger, a lifelong aviation enthusiast, joined AFW in 2018. Growing up in Saratoga, WY, he developed a passion for flying at an early age, inspired by his family’s aviation background. Though an initial medical restriction prevented him from flying solo, he remain… Gloriann Figueroa Read More »
February Safety Update: Is It Really a Mission? February 10, 2025 Angel Flight West has the “mission” of arranging transportation for patients and family members who need to travel long distances for care. AFW volunteer Pilots sign up for “missions” to provide flights for these folks. But should we call these volunteer flights “missions”? As a volunteer Pilot and Safety Officer, I get to experience the joy of flying AFW missions and also see feedback from pilots and passengers.… Safety Officers Read More »
Executive Director Succession Announcement January 21, 2025 Dear Angel Flight West Family, After more than 20 incredible years with Angel Flight West, and 11 deeply rewarding years serving as your Executive Director, I’m writing to share the news that I will be transitioning out of this role in March 2025 to pursue an exciting new opportunity at the national level in public benefit flying. This decision comes with a full heart, immense gratitude, and unwavering confidence in… Jessica Hayes Read More »
New Partner Spotlight | Press Release: Dogs for Better Lives January 20, 2025 CENTRAL POINT, OR (January 16, 2025) – A groundbreaking partnership between Dogs for Better Lives (DBL) and Angel Flight West is streamlining the journey for puppies and future Service Dogs, bringing efficiency and compassion to every step of their path toward service. This collaboration ensures that transportation is not just practical but also safe and timely, allowing DBL to focus more resources on tr… 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 »
Utah Santa Flight at Vernal Airport December 18, 2024 A message from Utah Wing Leader Lou Rossi Our Utah Wing Volunteers really stepped up this year for our annual Santa Flight! We had 24 Airplanes and one helicopter delivering donated clothing, books, supplies and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus and their elves to the students of Ashley Elementary School, who were assembled inside the Classic Aviation Hangar at Vernal Airport. Not only that, but the school identifie… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Intern Reflection: Meet Jessica December 12, 2024 My name is Jessica Theis, and I have been working at Angel Flight West (AFW) as the Communications and Marketing Intern during the Fall 2024 semester. With a background in communications and video production, particularly in social media and promotional video creation, I was eager to apply my skills to the nonprofit sector and expand my expertise in digital storytelling. This opportunity represented a meaningfu… Jessica Hayes Read More »
2025 Flights of Joy December 1, 2024 Flights of Joy – Angel Flight West’s Adopt a Family Program: Volunteer pilots deliver gifts to Angel Flight West passengers across the Western United States. DATE: Flights generally take place between December 1 – 23 Story: Angel Flight West’s volunteer pilots are transforming their planes into sleighs, bringing holiday joy to families struggling with medical o… Jessica Hayes Read More »
2025 Utah Santa Flight December 1, 2024 Santa Flies to Vernal Utah, Wednesday, December 11, 2024 What: Angel Flight West pilots bring Christmas to 500 kids in Vernal On December 11 at 8:30 a.m., 25 volunteer pilots from Angel Flight West’s (AFW) Utah wing will depart from various UT airports on their annual Santa Flight. Their destination is the airport in Vernal, UT, where they will deliver donated toys, school supplies, books, backpacks, and cl… 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 »
