Volunteer Impact and the Dr. Randy Sherman Access for All Fund
Four-year-old Alaura and her mom Shirlee became AFW passengers in 2025 after significant flooding in Seattle put a dent in their travel plans for an upcoming appointment at Seattle Children’s. “When the flooding happened, I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to drive,” shared Shirlee.
Alaura had been diagnosed with cancer two years prior, requiring her and her family to seek treatment out-of-state from their home in Idaho. When weather conditions created road closures and the family wasn’t sure how they’d make it to one of Alaura’s appointments, a nurse coordinator at Seattle Children’s recommended reaching out to AFW.
“From the pilots to the AFW office staff, everyone was wonderful and helpful,” said Shirlee. “They didn’t make me feel like I was a hindrance.” Alaura and Shirlee flew their first Angel Flight with Command Pilot Jeffrey McDiarmid who flew them to and from Seattle Children’s. And when Alaura’s appointment took longer than Shirlee anticipated, Jeffrey assured her that he’d be waiting for them at the airport to take them home. “It was awesome of him to wait that extra time,” Shirlee said.
As AFW passengers, Alaura and Shirlee have also flown commercially with tickets purchased through our Dr. Randy Sherman Access for All Fund, which provides vital travel assistance when weather or other circumstances prevent our pilots from flying. In 2025, thanks to the generous support of the Fund’s donors, AFW served 120 passengers with flights and 277 with ground transportation, totaling $100,000 in assistance. During their first commercial flight with AFW, Shirlee shared Alaura’s healthcare journey with one of the flight attendants, which led to the additional cabin crew wanting to meet her and an invitation from the pilots to visit the cockpit. Alaura received many handshakes from the flight crew and even a wing pin to commemorate the flight.
Alaura is quickly approaching the two-year mark of her treatment plan, and the family is hoping that her scans come back clear. “Hopefully we’re almost done,” says Shirlee, “and she gets to ring the bell.”
To our Dr. Randy Sherman Access for All Fund supporters and volunteer pilots, Shirlee shared, “I would love to thank everyone — we’re very appreciative of this generous gift we’ve been given.”
To learn more about the Dr. Randy Sherman Access for All Fund, please click here.
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Update from Shirlee: Alaura’s recent scans showed she is now cancer free! “She’s doing great,” says Shirlee. “Strong as ever. Our fighter!”
