No matter where patients are in their treatment, Angel Flight West (AFW) is honored to offer wings of hope and support. Each day, dedicated volunteer pilots and drivers donate their services to help passengers reach their essential care. We’re continuously inspired by the courage of our passengers, the compassion of our healthcare partners, and the generosity of our volunteers and supporters.

Meet our passenger, Cheryl. Living in Durango, Colo. and diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, she learned that access to health care wasn’t a guarantee. “I had to leave the state and travel to New Mexico to get a scan to even find out if it was cancer,” Cheryl recalls.

In addition to chemotherapy and radiation treatment, she needed six surgeries during her years-long battle. And, to add to the stress, the consistent medical care she needed was 500 miles away at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Phoenix. “You want continuity of care during a cancer diagnosis,” says Cheryl. “You need the same people around you.”

Three years into her battle, AFW Volunteer Pilot Phillip Council flew Cheryl and her husband home after her final surgery. Phillip said, “I had the honor of bringing Cheryl and her husband back to their home after she BEAT cancer! We had a wonderful flight, and it couldn’t have been a better day to fly.”

Cheryl couldn’t agree more, saying, “Phil was such a nice guy and we had a blast going home! That day was the best day in so many ways!” She goes on to recognize volunteer pilots Kerry MacPherson and Patrick McClure for her earlier angel flights. “I trusted them all to take me where I needed to be,” she says.

Now, Cheryl is eager to share her AFW experience with other patients in need of donated flight services. “The volunteer pilots are caring and friendly,” she says. “Know that you’re worth it, and your life is worth it.”

You can learn more about requesting a flight by calling (310) 390-2958 or by visiting angelflightwest.org/need-a-flight.

The post National Cancer Survivors Day: Meet AFW Passenger Cheryl first appeared on Angel Flight West.

The first noticeable symptoms were small tremors in her hands and within days it rapidly progressed to the point where she could not stand or walk. As you can imagine, this was very scary for us, and we immediately brought Taylor to the emergency room. After being seen at the local emergency room in our town, we were immediately transferred to Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH) where this nightmare was just beginning. Our baby Taylor endured the first four days at PCH going through every type of procedure, blood draw, and imaging you could think of just looking for a diagnosis and reason for her symptoms. All the while, she was still deteriorating.

The doctors first informed us the ataxia (loss of muscle control) was caused by a viral infection from an illness weeks prior. That unfortunately was not the case and the next day the neurosurgeons entered the scene and told us that Taylor actually had a cyst on her spine causing the loss of muscle control. Unfortunately, yet again, this was not the case as the next day we were met by the general surgeons and oncology doctors who gave us news that no parent should ever have to hear, “We found a tumor.” A cancerous tumor was found attached near Taylor’s spine and wrapped around her descending aorta. What followed was a miraculous surgery by very talented surgeons who were able to remove the cancerous tumor. After weeks of being in a hospital, Taylor was allowed to leave all the while knowing that she had a long road ahead of her.

We wanted the absolute best and were going to stop at nothing to get that for her. Since her syndrome is so rare, we wanted to get second opinions on how to best treat her, and that is where Angel Flight West comes in. From the first phone call to our last flight, they have been the most wonderful people to deal with.

In particular, we’d like to thank pilot Dennis for all that he has done for us. He has bent over backwards to do everything in his power to assist in our journey of finding the best treatment for our daughter. Not only has Dennis picked up multiple flights, but he was also so kind to drive us from the airport to our hotel during Los Angeles rush hour traffic which added many hours to his trip. Dennis is genuinely one of the nicest persons we have ever met, and we’re convinced that if we needed something from him tomorrow, he would find a way to make it happen. Taylor loves seeing and flying with Dennis and asks about him often. The rides are smooth and comfortable, and his hospitality is second to none.

Although we are blessed that Taylor’s cancer has yet to return, we are still trying to navigate the treatment for her rare syndrome which has been very difficult. This journey has been long, the struggles have been deep, and our faith has been tested like never before, but we believe that God does all things for the good as His plan for Taylor is perfect. Having this great organization and volunteer pilots who are there in our corner to help any way they can has made it easier and brought us comfort knowing that we are able to easily travel to other states to receive the best treatment possible.

The post Spotlight on an Angel: Meet Two-Year-Old Taylor first appeared on Angel Flight West.

Your gift ensures veterans can access these crucial services as they strive for healing and recovery.

Meet our passenger Gloria, a veteran and passenger who flew home from the Guardian Project with AFW this past fall. Gloria says, “As a disabled veteran, I never thought I’d find myself in a privately owned plane. I can’t tell you how cool it was to peer down at the Red Rocks from up above, and I loved having a retired A-10 pilot to share Air Force memories with during my journey.

“The trip came right after the sudden and tragic loss of one of my dearest friends, and I showed up at the camp in a devastated and underweight state. It was amazing to have the women at the retreat give me a solid place to land, physically and emotionally, especially since the retreat took place right between my departed friend’s two memorials. And then there was the river — which I desperately needed — that was a source of healing for me.” From her journey through the skies to her time by the water, the elements came together to bring Gloria some of the peace she needed. Today, she’s grateful for the vital encouragement she received — and she wants to help other veterans find hope again. “I can’t tell you how important this trip was in getting me through an impossible time,” she says.

“As disabled veterans, we need these programs in our lives. We deal with a lot of grief and loss. Resources like these, with special opportunities like a private flight… that saves lives.”

Gloria was invited by the Guardian Project to undergo trip leader training this year and plans to return to assist military members as they make the often-difficult transition to civilian life. “I hope to bring more women veterans into the program in the future,” she says.

Your gift makes missions like these possible. Please donate today to help Veterans reach these essential, life-saving services.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

The post Gloria’s Journey: Hope and Healing for Veterans first appeared on Angel Flight West.

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 children and their families living with life-altering medical conditions. This past February, AFW Command Pilot Richard Beattie flew Zoraya to her first Teen Leadership Retreat, giving Zoraya an opportunity to bond with friends while learning skills to support this summer’s younger campers.

Each year, Angel Flight West flies hundreds of missions to ensure children navigating life-altering or life-threatening illnesses can reach specialty programs. In 2023, our volunteer pilots flew 272 flights to and from 41 camp destinations, giving each child an unforgettable journey.

Now, we need your help to fly children like Zoraya to their long-awaited camps again this summer.

For many kids, the summer program where they’ll feel most accepted can be hundreds of miles away from home. Zoraya’s mom Jennifer knows that experience, saying, “I’m a single parent. To take time off work to make that long trip is really difficult. Having AFW’s help to get Zoraya there so she can still participate is unbelievable.”

For Zoraya, camp has given her the tools she needs to build courage and confidence. “Camp teaches me to be myself,” she says.

Help AFW arrange camp flights this year by making a gift today.

The post Finding Friendship and Acceptance at Summer Camp: Meet Zoraya first appeared on Angel Flight West.

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 ability to travel. When she recently found out she needed to have an essential surgery in Phoenix, more than 700 miles away from her home in Westcliffe, Colo, a friend of hers suggested she call Angel Flight West (AFW).  

Enter AFW’s dedicated volunteer pilots — Sean Bishop, Scott Gustafson, Eric Ecklund, Michael Saperton, Robert Hull, and Michael Kormos — who answered the call to help Cammy on her journey to health.  

Living in rural Colorado, the nearest commercial airport to Cammy is nearly 150 miles away. “That can be a six-hour roundtrip or more depending on traffic,” she says. AFW’s team of volunteer pilots were able to fly Cammy to and from her small town on two separate occasions, making an already stressful life event more manageable.  
 
One of those heroes was Command Pilot Sean Bishop, who flew Cammy home just three days after her major brain surgery in March. While Sean was initially only meant to fly one of two mission legs to help Cammy return home, flight plans changed mid-air. Without hesitation, Sean created a new flight plan, and safely flew Cammy the entire distance from Phoenix to the comfort of home.  

Cammy says, “I am overcome with gratitude for Sean’s generosity and for him going above and beyond. Sean was also one of my pilots the first time I flew with Angel Flight West. There are some people who truly make the world a better place, and Sean is one of them.”  
 
As for Sean, he’s humbled to have the opportunity to use his talents and resources to make a difference. Speaking to Cammy, he says, “I really enjoyed having a small role in your life and am completely honored to serve you in this way.” 

As for us? We’re grateful to be part of the charitable aviation community, witnessing the strength in passengers like Cammy and the unparalleled kindness of volunteer pilots like Sean. 

Check out Cammy’s newspaper article here!

The post When Medical Care is Miles Away: Meet Cammy first appeared on Angel Flight West.

“We had our first mission for The Service Dog Connection to fly Guillermo, the 150 lb Saint BerNewfie, to his new home,” says AFW Mission Coordinator Julia. “It was determined that Guillermo was most needed as a First Responder Therapy Dog, doing fire and police station visits, peer support, and critical incident debriefs to help reduce the rates of PTSD among the First Responder community.”

New volunteer pilot John Romero of the Idaho wing flew his first AFW mission, flying Guillermo halfway to his new home. Mark Duncan, an AFW volunteer pilot with decades of fire and rescue experience, signed up to fly the second leg, even bringing Guillermo a firefighter hat to honor the occasion. “There was no way around the inclement weather for Mark’s flight, so Mark flew Guillermo back home to Las Vegas and drove him all the way to Flagstaff, Ariz. to meet his handler,” says Julia. “It takes a village!”

Just a few days later, AFW flew its second mission for The Service Dog Connection. Bill Sutherland of the Oregon wing flew Elliot from San Luis Obispo to Bend to complete his final service dog training. This time, Julia, a dog lover herself, got to fly along as a Mission Assistant. “It was both mine and Command Pilot Bill Sutherland’s first mission,” says Julia. “It was so much fun. I’m thrilled that we’re able to help more people by flying these sweet dogs to where they’re needed most.” 

Angel Flight West is proud to partner with other organizations that train canines for important roles, including the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation and Silver State Service Dogs.

The post AFW’s New Partnership with The Service Dog Connection first appeared on Angel Flight West.

In August of 2023, Elijah and his mom received their first gifted flight to Palo Alto, Calif. for the critical procedure. Judith recalls how professional and kind AFW Command Pilot Jerald Molleston was during their journey through the skies. Five months later, and after a successful transplant, Elijah and Judith were finally discharged and able to fly back home to Ontario, Calif.

Although Elijah was nervous during his first angel flight, he knew what to expect for their flight home. Volunteer pilot, Ben Pahlavan, also made an impression on the now ten-year-old boy, giving Elijah the special opportunity to be his trusted co-pilot. “We can all name the people in our lives who made a lasting impression,” Judith says, “and Ben made a lasting impression on Elijah.”

Today, Elijah is doing well after his bone marrow transplant, and he wants to be a pilot just like Jerald and Ben.

“The hard part is over,” says Judith. “We’re so happy to be home.”

The post From Angel Flights to Recovery: Meet Elijah first appeared on Angel Flight West.

Our passenger Elliot was one of those friends, both to volunteers and staff. After his first gifted flight in 2021, he went on to fly with Angel Flight West 71 more times to access his care at Huntsman Cancer Institute.

After a courageous battle with cancer, Elliot passed away on November 10, 2023.

It’s our honor to share some of the kind words from our volunteer pilots as they remember their passenger, and friend, Elliot:

Elliott was a kind and gentle man. – Hans Fuegi

I thoroughly enjoyed flying with Elliot. He was always so grateful and positive and we had very thoughtful conversations. The first time we met, it felt like we had been friends for years. He will be missed. Rest in peace, Elliot. – Lou Rossi

The world will miss your presence, my friend! Many trips together — please watch over us aviators! -Kent Mazzia

I’m very sorry to hear about Elliot’s passing. He was my last Angel Flight (I sold my plane soon after) and was a joy to be with, cheerful, appreciative and just a lovely person. My thoughts go out to his family and friends and all the Angel Flight volunteers who were fortunate enough to know him. – Michael Darder

Elliot was a pleasure to have as a passenger, appreciative and an interesting man to talk with during the flight. Of course, I’m sorry I didn’t pick up one more flight with him. I thought about it but didn’t. There’s a lesson. – Lee Gerstein

We thank our volunteers for giving Elliot the gift of more time with his family and friends, and we express our deepest sympathies to all who knew and loved him. Click here to read Elliot’s obituary.

The post Volunteer Pilots Remember AFW Passenger Elliot first appeared on Angel Flight West.

Now, while the family is happy to be back home, their drive to and from Children’s Hospital Colorado isn’t just a few towns over, it’s hundreds of miles away — an eight-hour drive across the entire state of Wyoming. With MaKenna unable to work to care for her son, the financial burden of transportation made LaMonte’s journey to health even more stressful, until they heard about Angel Flight West (AFW).

Through the passenger assistance fund, AFW was able to purchase commercial airline tickets for the family to fly back-and-forth between their home and medical facility this past year. “We’ve already encountered so many financial burdens from LaMonte’s illness,” MaKenna says. “These tickets helped so much.”

On other occasions, AFW’s volunteer pilots were able to answer the call. MaKenna recalls when one of their AFW pilots, Bob Stewart, went the extra mile by picking the family up at the hospital and driving them to the airport. “Every pilot has made such an impact on us. It’s shown us we’re not alone.”

Today, LaMonte continues to fight his illness, but he’s not that different than other boys his age. “He’s a spunky three-year-old who loves anything to do with superheroes and ninja turtles,” says MaKenna.

Your help is needed to keep patients like LaMonte flying to care. In addition to making it possible for AFW to arrange flights, your gift supports AFW’s passenger assistance fund, enabling AFW to purchase tickets for passengers in need of transportation to care. 

The post LaMonte’s Battle with Leukemia first appeared on Angel Flight West.

Colter was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer called hepatoblastoma at just 18 months old. Shortly after, the family was referred to a specialist in Seattle for Colter to undergo a liver resection, a surgery that would take place more than 350 miles away from their home in Osburn, ID.  

Chemotherapy had left Colter immunocompromised and unable to fly commercially, even if the family could afford it. With two other young children to care for, the logistics of transportation to and from Colter’s surgery were a worrisome stressor for the family. Enter AFW’s network of volunteer pilots.

Colter’s mother, Brianna, said AFW’s volunteer pilot John Jewett made their angel flight experience as comfortable as possible, picking the mother-son duo up at their nearest local airport. A highlight of the flight for young Colter was wearing the headphones, where he was able to listen to his pilot John as they soar through the skies.

Brianna and John remain in contact today, and she hopes Colter can meet him again. She says, “This is just one example of how people come out of the woodwork to help the kids who need it.”

Although navigating childhood cancer is difficult, Brianna says, “One of the truly silver linings in this process is finding out how many people there are who will drop everything and use their time, energy, talents, and resources to help kids with cancer. It’s truly one of the only things that made us feel optimistic at times.”

The post Meet Colter: Agent of Chaos first appeared on Angel Flight West.

On Friday November 10, Army veteran William “Bill” Shammy will leave the VA Hospital in Palo Alto with something he hasn’t had in 10 years: a voice.

Bill lost his voice to throat cancer when doctors had to remove his larynx. Now he’s undergoing reconstructive surgery. With his wife Matilda, he’ll fly home to Espanola, New Mexico, courtesy of Angel Flight West, whose volunteer pilots provide free air transportation to people who need to access non-emergency medical care far from home.

The couple’s youngest child, Kenny, never got to hear his father’s voice. He passed away at age seven, when a ruptured appendix was misdiagnosed as the flu.

Bill had a big smile on his face when they were wheeling him into surgery, and the family is excited to see – and hear –  him  when he wakes up. 

“I can’t wait to see the looks on our grandkids’ faces,” Matilda says. “And there’s no way this could have happened without the Angel Flight West pilots.”

For media inquiries, interviews, and additional information, please contact Jessica Hayes at jessicah@angelflightwest.org.” 

Angel Flight West’s volunteer pilots provide free medical transportation to help passengers reach their health care, as well as flights for other humanitarian purposes, such as veterans taking part in therapeutic programs. This year, Angel Flight West celebrates two milestones: 40 years of service and our 100,000^th mission. To learn more about Angel Flight West, visit www.angelflightwest.org.

The post A Veteran Gets His Voice first appeared on Angel Flight West.

As a middle child, eight-year-old Stetson has two siblings he loves fiercely — his 10-year-old brother Maverick and his six-year-old sister Wren. His contagious smile is captured in nearly all his photos, including those of him in hospital beds surrounded by medical equipment and beeping monitors. 

Stetson was born neurofibromatosis, or NF1, a genetic mutation found in approximately one in every 3,000 people. Typically, NF1 causes tumors to grow under the skin and on nerves, often leading to health problems affecting other parts of the body. 

Stetson’s case has been anything but typical. Besides symptoms of hearing loss, seizures, café au lait spots, headaches, and fever spikes, he was diagnosed with an optic pathway glioma, a tumor that can lead to worsening vision and other complications. “No two people with NF1 are alike,” says his mother Tatyana. “Stetson is no exception as his condition has so many complexities.” 

The family first heard about Angel Flight West three years ago when they were gearing up to travel from their home in Kalispell, Mont. to Children’s Hospital Colorado to visit the facility’s Neurofibromatosis Clinic so Stetson could start chemotherapy for his brain tumors. Since that trip, Tatyana says their family’s been “blessed ever since with incredible pilots.” 

Those flights have also been unforgettable for Stetson. He keeps pictures of himself with AFW volunteers in a book, and he remembers and talks about each experience. “Even though he has memory loss, he can tell you about each plane and pilot,” says Tatyana.   

Most recently, the mother-and-son duo had to travel to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City to seek second opinions from a neurooncologist and geneticist after a challenging summer for Stetson. He’s experienced speech and mobility issues, along with seizure-like episodes, sometimes having to rely on a walker or cane to move around. Once again, AFW’s volunteer pilots made the journey across state lines possible. “We wouldn’t be able to go to these specialists without Angel Flight West,” Tatyana says. “Those pilots are part of our village.”   

Not knowing what lies ahead for Stetson has been challenging for the family, but they’re committed to finding answers and giving their son every opportunity to overcome his health trials and keep his shining smile. “The journey we’re on isn’t the best,” she says. “But the journey on angel flight is absolutely amazing.” 

And Stetson knows at the end of a long day of tests and treatment, he can count on his pilots to bring him back to the rest of his family. “I’m happy to go home,” he said before his latest angel flight, “and I’m happy they’re taking us home.”   

The post Stetson’s Story: How Volunteer Pilots Aid in His Battle Against NF1 first appeared on Angel Flight West.

Now, it’s Tim’s turn to be nurtured. Just over a year ago, he was diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer. Without knowing where to turn, his wife Susan started researching oncologists and quickly found Dr. Nghiem at the University of Washington, one of few doctors in the Pacific Northwest who specialize in treating and managing Merkel cell carcinoma.

“My wife is the real hero of this story,” says Tim. “She found the doctor in Seattle, but we needed to find a way to get there each month.” As is often the case with a cancer diagnosis, the financial strain of healthcare costs leaves little to no funds for transportation. The couple lives in Laramie, Wyo., and his life-saving medical care is 1,200 miles away – a journey of more than 17 hours by car.

Susan continued exploring their options, and it wasn’t long before, as Tim puts it, “Angel Flight West jumped out of heaven. You should have seen us! We were jubilant after finding your services. I’m positive we danced in the kitchen that night — with no music! Before this, the worry of traveling to care was as stressful as the cancer itself.”

To date, three AFW volunteer pilots have helped Tim and Susan make it to Tim’s far-off treatment: Command pilots Trevor Moody, David Taylor, and Stephen Elop. Tim says the experience of flying in the cockpit of two small planes, a Diamond DA42 Twin Star and a Piper PA-46, as well as traveling aboard Stephen’s Cessna Citation CJ3+ jet, was an experience he won’t soon forget. “Each pilot was so nurturing,” he says. “I’ve never met human beings with such empathy and kindness. It’s hard to describe how much they’ve changed my life.”

When flying in a small plane to treatment wasn’t possible, our partner Alaska Airlines donated tickets so the couple to make it to Tim’s critical care. “The staff members at Alaska make me feel like a VIP,” Tim says. “They always have a wheelchair waiting for me after the flight to take me where I need to go.”

Tim hopes to reconnect with Trevor, David, and Stephen after he beats his cancer. “I don’t know if you can appreciate how deeply they’ve impacted me,” he says, “and I think I have more years to my life because of Angel Flight West.”

A special thank you to Wyoming Community Foundation

With support from the Wyoming Community Foundation, Angel Flight West is reaching more Wyoming residents like Tim who need transportation in order to access health care and other essential services far from home. With their support, we’re honored to be here for more people like Tim. #wycf and #wycfgives

The post From Nurturer to Nurtured: Tim’s Battle with Merkel Cell Carcinoma   first appeared on Angel Flight West.

Each year, Angel Flight West (AFW) partners with the White Heart Foundation (WHF) to fly veterans to the Guardian Project, a therapeutic outdoor experience for post-9/11 veterans. Your donation towards our summer fundraiser helps us arrange missions for veterans, ensuring those who have served can access the resources they need.  

Corporal Jed Morgan, the foundation’s camp creator and director, has been leading the program for seven years. A war veteran injured in combat himself, Cpl. Jed witnessed the PTSD and other trauma fellow soldiers were experiencing after coming back from deployment. After experiencing an even more personal loss, he knew it was time to do something to try and mitigate suicide among those who have served.

Ryan Sawtelle, Executive Director of the WHF, offered Jed the opportunity to start the Guardian Project as part of their organization — and it wasn’t long before the first excursion launched in 2016 in Lander, Wyo. Since that first year, the project has helped 80 veterans come together to find hope and healing.  

When speaking of the program’s impact, Jed says the experience helps veterans turn their lives around in amazing ways. “They’re able to do a 180,” he says. “Sometimes, they’ve isolated themselves for years because of the trauma. But by the end of the trip, we see them opening up, sometimes even sharing their story with hundreds of people at our reception dinner. “ 

Over the past five years, Angel Flight West has flown more than 100 missions for veterans, flying them to this life-changing program and back home. “I’ve gone on quite a few flights, says Cpl. Jed. “The pilots are amazing individuals who really care about each person’s story.”  

Recently, Command Pilot Ryan Cowley flew Cpl. Jed back home after the latest Guardian Project. “Being able to give a minimal amount of service back to those who have dedicated years of their lives to serving their country is an incredible experience,” says Ryan. “It’s humbling to be able to ease their transportation to healing and recovery.”  
 
With your support, we’ll continue working with partners like the White Heart Foundation to help veterans access therapeutic services. Make your donation today.  

The post How One Veteran Is Supporting Fellow Service Members first appeared on Angel Flight West.

From the moment we learned I was pregnant, all we found ourselves wishing for is that our baby would be healthy. Our wish became more intense at 21 weeks’ gestation when we learned that our first baby was measuring quite small and likely had a form of dwarfism, or skeletal dysplasia. 

It would be nearly four months and a couple of respiratory scares and hospital stays before we would have a confirmed diagnosis. Eventually, we would learn that our son, Kahlial, had a rare condition called Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia – Congenita, commonly known as SED or SEDc. 

SED is not a hereditary condition; we have no family history. Rather, it’s caused by a random mutation in the gene that codes for type II collagen. The list is long, but basically it affects the collagen and connective tissues in the bones, eyes, and other parts of the body, with the most obvious difference in a person with SED being their short stature. 

With a diagnosis, we finally had some answers, knowledge about common complications, and what to watch for as he grew. We also quickly learned that there were only a handful of doctors in the world, much less the country, who had any real experience with our child’s condition. So we found ourselves in this surreal situation where we were traveling to hospitals in other states, flying across the country to get the care and surgeries our son needed. It was a lot. But you just do what you need to do to get your child the care they need. 

Early on, we connected with Little People of America, a national nonprofit organization that provides support and information to people of short stature and their families. I can’t say enough good things about this organization, the community, and the Medical Advisory Board. Especially in those early years when our focus was largely on his medical needs and increasing our overall understanding of his condition and dwarfism in general. I’m afraid he ended up with a book of medical records instead of a baby book. 

As we moved toward school age, making friends and building a supportive, interactive community around him (not just a stellar medical team) became a priority. We were fortunate enough to find Camp Korey, a nonprofit that provides year-round adaptive programs for children and their families living with life-altering medical challenges.   

Kahlial Finds Camp Korey

Earlier this year, Kahlial attended the Teen Leadership Retreat at Camp Korey, where fellow kids with medical conditions come together in service, leadership, and connection-oriented programming to learn how to support other youngsters. He’ll now be able to volunteer his own time and give back to an organization that has helped him navigate being a kid with differences in a safe and supportive environment, creating lifelong bonds with peers that look like him and who have an unspoken understanding of each other’s struggles. 
 
Kahlial was beyond thrilled when the opportunity arose for him to get back to camp, and even more thrilled at flying to camp on his own. Not only would a flight with AFW be a huge time and cost savings for us, but it would also be an incredible experience for Kahlial and an opportunity for some independence. 
 
This camp experience wouldn’t have been possible without Angel Flight West, and he certainly got the red-carpet treatment from Volunteer Pilot Trevor Moody and Mission Assistant Dimitri Nikonov. I get sappy just thinking about how much these incredible organizations have meant to our son and family. We are beyond grateful.  

In Kahlial’s Own Words

Camp Korey is such a magical experience for everyone — staff and campers alike. We do things ranging anywhere from food fights to knitting! I feel empowered being surrounded by people who look like me, and I appreciate how inclusive the program is. Being at camp is almost a complete escape from the daily hardships that people of short stature face.  

My Angel Flight West experience was awesome! My pilots were so easy-going and made me feel comfortable on the plane. It all really made a difference because it allowed for a quick, safe, and efficient transport to camp. 

It was also nice because I had recently had a total spinal fusion, and sitting in the car for a long time wasn’t comfortable. I’m glad I didn’t have to spend nearly 20 hours driving in the car to participate in the camp for those two days.  

I’m really grateful for everything these pilots and angel flights do. I hope I get to do it again for the week-long camp this summer! 

From Kahlial’s Volunteer Pilot Trevor Moody

Flying Kahlial to Camp Korey stands out as a very special mission amongst the many special missions I’ve had the chance to fly with Angel Flight West. It may have been Kahlial’s determination and confidence that were so evident when flying with him.  It may also have been the love and devotion of his parents that were evident from my first communication with them, and also the concern I sensed at having their son’s transport entrusted to a couple of pilots they’d never met. The flight itself was very smooth and saved the family a challenging nine hours of driving. Kahlial had been to Camp Korey a few times before, but this trip was different and particularly important to him as he was now stepping up to leadership training where he would learn how to help younger kids navigate the challenges they’re facing.  I have no doubt that Kahlial will excel in his new responsibility, and I was honored to be able to help him achieve this new role. 

Click here to donate to make a child’s summer dreams come true. This July, we’re on a mission to raise enough funds to send 200 children to camp. These life-changing missions wouldn’t be possible without your support.

The post Challenges Won’t Stop Campers From a Fantastic Summer first appeared on Angel Flight West.