With the amazing support of our volunteer pilots, like Costas and his mission assistant Norman, Ed has been able to travel from Vermont to Boston, MA for specialized cancer care and treatment. Since October 2020, our mission/flight coordination team has scheduled more than 40 flights of healing and hope along with ground transportation so Ed can travel safely and conveniently.

Please take a moment to read about Ed’s healthcare journey requiring him to travel from So. Burlington, VT to Boston, MA for specialized cancer treatment.

Three years ago, Ed’s life changed forever. Not only was his wife just finishing her battle with Stage Three Triple Negative Breast Cancer, but he too was battling a rare medical diagnosis – Systemic Mastocytosis (IMS), a rare form of a myeloid neoplasm leaving him with chronic fatigue, brain fog and many other debilitating symptoms.

When Ed was received  news he was eligible to participate in a new clinical trial that was being conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA – which was more than 200 miles away (one way) from his home in South Burlington, Vermont – he was immediately overjoyed with hope, but then wondered how would he get there. He shared his concerns with a co-worker about the stress and physical strain that it would put on his body to travel this journey hundreds of miles way, as well as the financial costs associated with traveling.  His co-worker suggested he reach out to Angel Flight NE knowing they had helped one of his family members in a similar situation.

In October of 2020, Ed reached out to our mission/flight coordination team for help and we assured him that we were here for him during his healthcare journey. This immediately took the burden and worry about traveling from Vermont to Boston off his shoulders so he could focus on getting well. Since that time, we have coordinated more than 40 flights of healing and hope for Ed including ground transportation. Flights like Ed’s are made possible with the amazing support of our volunteer pilots and from foundations such as the Alexion Charitable Foundation, who believe in our mission of supporting patients with rare and ultra-rare diseases.

Ed recently shared the following note with our mission/flight coordinators:
“Having used this amazing resource for several years, I can’t say enough about how helpful and supportive every member of the Angel Flight NE team has been during my healthcare journey. Each of  you listen and understand my concerns while always offering help in any way needed. Prior to every flight, I receive a phone call or text from one of their volunteer pilots introducing themselves along with some personnel information so I understand who they are and what it means to them to be able to help patients, like me. 

Angel Flight NE’s volunteer pilots are my “Angels in the Sky” always making me feel right at home while sharing their love of flying which makes for a pleasant flying experience. At the end of each flight, I have always been met by an “Earth Angel” who volunteers their vehicles and time to safely transport us to the medical facility or hotel when overnight stays are necessary. We always exchange a friendly conversation about the “Boston traffic” which eases my anxiety, and at times I have also had a history lesson about Boston and the surrounding communities from the Earth Angel drivers.

Everyone from Angel Flight NE treats me with such respect and kindness. These folks are truly special and give all to help every patient – they are a very special family. I cannot express how grateful and blessed to have Angel Flight NE on my side during this healthcare journey. They have turned a difficult situation into a safe and pleasant experience. I am so thankful!”

We are able to transform patients’ lives – like Ed’s – who need to access life-saving medical care with the amazing support of our compassionate, giving volunteer pilots along with the generous support of our commercial aviation partners and charitable foundations.

As with all of our patients, Ed and his family will always have a place in our heart and will remain a part of the Angel Flight NE extended family. We continually assure him that we are here during his healthcare journey for as long and as often as he needs our assistance to access the vital care and treatment he needs.

Mission/Flight requests – like Ed’s – happen daily and we are privileged to have the opportunity to not only fly but deeply care for all who turn to us for help at difficult times in their lives.  We are here for him for as long and as often as he needs our help and to ensure the best possible outcome. Please keep Ed along with all of our patients in your thoughts and prayers.

We are proudly celebrating our 27th year of service having scheduled over 108,000 flights for patients who have traveled  more than 15 million miles to 750+ medical facilities throughout the United States since our founding in 1996.

Thank You and God Bless You for your support and belief in our healing mission.

With your help, we can ensure that distance is never an obstacle for patients, like Susan and the thousands of others we assist yearly.

Warmest regards,
Fr. Larry & the AFNE Staff