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 »
Volunteer Spotlight: Dan Hangs Up His Wings June 25, 2024 Meet Dan Marks, a dedicated volunteer pilot whose aviation journey began when he was in his 40s. While working at Torrance Airport in Southern California, Dan started taking flying lessons and quickly fell in love with the thrill of soaring through the clouds. He acquired multiple aircraft, with his latest being a Cessna T210, and earned multi-engine rating. His journey took a meaningful turn when he joined… Manal Chaali Read More »
Run for the Angels 5K: Eight Years of Impact June 18, 2024 Join us in-person or virtually for the Run for the Angels 5K, taking place on September 28, 2024. Visit angelflightwest.org/5K to register and learn more. Each year, HDR hosts the Run for the Angels 5K in Broomfield, Colorado on an airport runway in support of Angel Flight West. The family-friendly event has enabled AFW to arrange hundreds of missions over the years while raising awareness about our services in the C… 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 »
From Cheri’s Desk: A Recap of the Endeavor Awards May 30, 2024 Just a few weeks ago, the Mission Operations Team, along with the entire Angel Flight West staff, was honored to participate in the 10th Annual Endeavor Awards. I thought the volunteer newsletter would be a great way to highlight the volunteer aspect of this incredible event. All dressed up, linking arms with my beautiful grandsons, and anticipating a fun evening, we were excited to meet some of the pas… Cheri Cimmarrusti 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 »
Meet AFW’s Newest Board Member, Vincent Mickens May 21, 2024 We’re thrilled to introduce AFW’s newest board member, Vincent Mickens of Potomac, MD. Vince Mickens is the Founder and CEO of Private Air Media Group and a passionate aviation advocate, spearheading philanthropic support of general and business aviation. A U.S. Navy veteran, he spent nearly three decades as a broadcast journalist in radio and television and has served in various positions with the National Bus… Jessica Hayes Read More »
May Safety Update: Managing Our Flight Path and Distractions May 17, 2024 Approximately, a year and a half ago the FAA issued Advisory Circular (AC) 120-123. It is regarding Flight Path Management (FPM) and it is addressed to Part 121/135 operations and Part 142 Training Centers. I am including a PDF link below, in case you are interested in all 46 pages of it! https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_120-123.pdf Well, you say, what does that have to do with o… Safety Officers Read More »
Intern Reflection: Meet Yohana May 9, 2024 My name is Yohana and I’ve been working at Angel Flight West (AFW) as the spring Communications and Marketing Intern since last December (2023). My journey with AFW has truly been an enriching experience, allowing me to grow personally and professionally, while gaining insights on the intricate efforts that AFW undertakes to make a difference in people’s lives. Stepping into the world of nonprofit work ha… YohanaG Read More »
Gloria’s Journey: Hope and Healing for Veterans April 29, 2024 Each year, AFW’s volunteer pilots fly dozens of missions to help veterans reach the Guardian Project, an outdoor therapy program organized by the White Heart Foundation where veterans battling post-traumatic stress or trauma can open up and relate to others who have had a similar experience. Your gift ensures veterans can access these crucial services as they strive for healing and recovery. Meet our passenger G… Jessica Hayes Read More »
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 »