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 »
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 Judith. “But reality set in at our first doctor’s appointment after his diagnosis.” Judith 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 »
