Finding Friendship and Acceptance at Summer Camp: Meet Zoraya April 25, 2024 Will you make a gift today to help AFW arrange camp missions this summer? While many children are patiently awaiting the thrill of summer camp season, some of AFW’s young passengers are getting a head start on visiting their homes away from home. Fifteen-year-old Zoraya is one of those early travelers. She was excited about returning to Camp Korey in Mount Vernon, Wash. for her fourth year at the year-round camp for ch… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Dr. Randy Sherman Access for All Fund April 25, 2024 We dedicate this fund in loving memory of Dr. Randy Sherman, our trailblazing leader and friend, to further his vision for access to health care for all. Dr. Sherman was an inspirational force in the aviation and healthcare communities. He joined Angel Flight West as a volunteer 10 years ago and served as an amazing advocate, mentor, and champion for our cause. The care he showed his patients, combined with his… YohanaG Read More »
When Medical Care is Miles Away: Meet Cammy April 25, 2024 For people living in rural areas across the West, care can be difficult to access without additional resources and support. From already-costly medical bills to the burden of travel, crucial treatment can seem like a far-off reality. AFW’s passenger Cammy knows that experience well. Five years ago, Cammy’s medical team found a tumor in her brain, an overwhelming diagnosis that has also impacted her abil… Jessica Hayes Read More »
AFW’s New Partnership with The Service Dog Connection March 29, 2024 In addition to flying passengers to their far-off medical care, Angel Flight West provides services for other compelling needs, including flights for our furry, four-legged friends. One of those newest partnerships took off last week with the The Service Dog Connection in Bend, OR, an organization that places trained service dogs with families to support individuals with disabilities. “We had our first missio… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Special Guest Harrison Ford to Attend 10th Annual Endeavor Awards March 28, 2024 Dr. Randy Sherman to be honored posthumously at 10th Annual Endeavor Awards,award to be presented by Actor Harrison Ford An inspirational force in aviation and healthcare communities, Angel Flight West is pleased to announce that Dr. Randy Sherman will be honored (posthumously) at the 10th Annual Endeavor Awards in Los Angeles on May 10, 2024. The award will be presented by Actor Harrison Ford and accepted by Sher… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Wingspan: Meet New Idaho Wing Leader Don Reiman March 1, 2024 Please help us welcome Don Reiman as AFW’s new Idaho Wing Leader! Don has been a volunteer with AFW for years with 14 missions to date in his Cessna T210. We’re thrilled to welcome him to this new volunteer leadership role. Don says, “I am passionate about many things from helping others to exploring the great outdoors. As the Founder and President of Echelon Group, I channel my passions into my professional life… Jessica Hayes Read More »
From Angel Flights to Recovery: Meet Elijah March 1, 2024 Elijah was diagnosed with a bone marrow disorder called Fanconi Anemia at just nine years old. “We didn’t know at the time how much his life would change,” says Elijah’s mom Janeth. “But reality set in at our first doctor’s appointment after his diagnosis.” Janeth is a single parent, and she and Elijah live eight hours away from Stanford Medicine Children’s Health where Elijah would need to go for a bone marrow transpl… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Meet Ace: AFW’s 2023 Top Flyer February 27, 2024 A retired Air Force pilot, member of the Hawaii Air National Guard, and pilot with Aloha Airlines, Hawaii Wing Leader Ace Ellinwood seems to have spent more time soaring through the skies than on the ground. After all, as Angel Flight West’s (AFW) 2023 top flyer, Ace flew an incredible 92 missions to help passengers travel between islands to access life-saving treatments. Ace first heard about AFW years ago at a local… Jessica Hayes Read More »
From our Team: Reflecting on Flights of Joy January 24, 2024 AFW Associate Executive Director Cheri Cimmarrusti reflects on this past year’s Flights of Joy. Flights of Joy in Arizona Flights of Joy in Wyoming Flights of Joy in Montana For the fourth year in a row, 2023 brought us Flights of Joy. In 2020, with our missions reduced significantly due to the ongoing pandemic, we were looking for a way to get our pilots flying in a way that was safe for everyone involved. A… Cheri Cimmarrusti Read More »
Volunteer Pilots Remember AFW Passenger Elliot January 19, 2024 Angel Flight West was built on relationships, and that foundation is what has kept our passengers at the heart of our mission for more than forty years. When our volunteer pilots sign up to donate a flight, they aren’t only signing up to experience the joy of flying — they’re signing up to invest their time and energy in another person, a new friend. Our passenger Elliot was one of those friends, both to volu… Jessica Hayes Read More »
January Safety Update – NASA ASRS Program – Aviation Safety Reporting System January 19, 2024 In this edition’s safety report I would like to discuss the NASA ASRS Program – Aviation Safety Reporting System. There is an abundance of information online regarding this program, yet I wanted to touch upon some of the highlights. Most airlines have an in-house safety reporting process. Most often, the in-house reporting program also simultaneously files a NASA ASRS report. I worked very closely w… Safety Officers Read More »
Meet AFW’s Newest Board Member, Richard Beattie January 19, 2024 We’re thrilled to introduce AFW’s newest board member, Richard Beattie! Richard is retired and lives with his wife Adrienne in Anacortes, WA. A UK/US dual citizen, he spent his career in the automotive and powersports industries. Richard’s most recent position was Chief Operating Officer for Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA, responsible for marketing, sales and service for all of Kawasaki’s recreatio… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Wingspan: Announcing New Wing Leaders in UT, AZ, WA, and NV. January 19, 2024 We’re thrilled to announce new wing leaders in four states, including Lou Rossi (Utah), Alan Underwood (Arizona), Shawn Linch (Nevada), and Ricardo Lagos (Washington). Additionally, we’re excited to share that Dave Lombard will take on the role of area leader for Central California. We also share our gratitude and thanks to our outgoing wing leaders, including Steve Bollinger (Utah), Tim Barrios (Arizo… Jessica Hayes Read More »
A Principal’s Reflection: Utah’s Santa Flight January 9, 2024 Last month, AFW’s Utah volunteers brought holiday cheer to the students of Sunset Elementary School via this year’s Santa Flight! Since 2000, pilots have filled their airplanes with school supplies, books, hats, coats, backpacks, and toys for students at Title One schools in rural communities. We extend a sincere thank you to all our volunteers for making this possible, including the incredible Sa… Jessica Hayes Read More »
LaMonte’s Battle with Leukemia December 28, 2023 Last year, before his second birthday, LaMonte was diagnosed with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The family lives in Billings, Mont., but the devastating diagnosis meant his family had to spend nearly 11 months in Colorado for LaMonte’s treatment. “Because it’s such a rare form of leukemia, he’s required more treatment than other patients,” says LaMonte’s mother MaKenna. Now, while the family i… Jessica Hayes Read More »
