Canadian flights help / other leads

[Guest guest]

Now I

> have to find a charitable foundation in Canada that would cover

the

> flight costs. More searching. Never ends!

> Bernie

>

Bernie

here is first one Candian flights help org . I found - then notes on

some other programs which may be of help too . The Web site I

grabed some of this info from is clearly not up to date - some of

the leads below BESIDES the PatietTravel org - and Angel

Flights may be cancer only in my experience - but it's a good start

of what to try beyond the Canadian site listed here first .

http://www.hopeair.org/hopeair/?lang=en

A bit of info about them

Canada

* Assists Canadians from every province, from all walks of life,

from all age groups and representing a wide variety of illnesses.

* More than 35,000 flights arranged since founded in 1986.

* Flights arranged using empty and/or donated seats on

commercial and corporate aircraft and through Hope Air's

innovative Volunteer Pilot Program.

* Provides 24-hour back up for the Province of Ontario's organ

retrieval program.

* In 2000/01, arranged 4,571 flights, valued at more than

$2,200,000 (based on average fares provided by the airlines and

donated volunteer flights).

Hope Air is dedicated to arranging free air transportation for

Canadians who are sick and in financial need, requiring

non-emergency medical care outside of their home

communities.

To ensure that no Canadian is denied appropriate medical care

for lack of access to air transportation.

http://www.hopeair.org/hopeair/about/?lang=en

By mail:

Procter & Gamble Building,

4711 Yonge Street

Toronto, Ontario

M2N 6K8

Email:

mail@...

Phone:

Fax:

Then here are some other leads too -- I first sugest folks contact

the National Patient Travel hotline folks FIRST beyond that

Canadian lead at

http://PatientTravel.org =it's free , they first discuss /interview you

briefly about your needs , then offer either referal to the best

matched org.s to YOUR needs OR they sometimes arrange the

flights themselves too .

NOTES based on my experience working as VP of Wishes and

Rainbows first - if you hit a " dud " helper there - wait a day or so

and call BACK too - I can't figure out why someone occationally

doesn't GET good help there ( such as telling you they will just

send a list of org.s to you ) --it's happened a few times when I

sugested to chiari folks they call --but when I've called they've

ALWAY " S truly tried hard to help sort through someones needs -

not send a list - and told me to call BACK if anything they offered

did dead end too ! They've always been a truly awesome help to

me :-)

Some other org.s are listed below too -- Miricle Flights for Kids

don't advertise they usually can offer ONE round trip to any adult /

first you call them to be sure they currently have grant funds

available - THEN you use their kids application . One last tidbit --

if you run across info on an org. called Airlifeline - it merged with

Angel Flights last year - some web sites arn't updated with this

info yet . - You'd contact Angel Flights too ask for Airlifeline

services now .

Resources: Airline Flights ( this info below is mostly from one

website I've bookmarked to refer back to myself -- a bit is

outdated in my experience but a good resource overall . )

These organizations provide airline flights for patients that need

to travel for medical reasons. Also note: One parent reports that if

you contact the airlines for medical issues they will let you have

the cheapest rate for the airfare, meaning even though you are

leaving tomorrow, they will give you the same discount as though

you did a 30 day advance ticket. ( MY note heretoo -- commercial

airlines almost ALL have medical help desk personel you

should ask for as soon as you call reservations - THEY can offer

you the lowest cost EVER advertised for any empty seat still

avail.

Air Care Alliance

" The Air Care Alliance is a nationwide league of humanitarian

flying organizations whose volunteer pilots are dedicated to

community service. This site will introduce you to us and to all

the groups we list whose volunteers perform public benefit flying

for health care, patient transport, disaster relief, environmental

support, and other missions of public service. "

http://www.aircareall.org/

Angel Flight

Angel Flight is a non-profit organization of pilots and other

volunteers dedicated to serving the community by arranging free

private air transportation for medical patients who cannot afford

to utilize normal, commercial transportation. Angel Flight also

provides services to blood, organ and tissue banks. Angel Flight

is a member of Air Care Alliance, a group of 37 organizations

providing similar services throughout the United States. These

groups are coordinated through a toll-free service (NPATH) that

helps individuals in need find assistance in their area.

http://www.angelflight.com/

Cancer Air Flights

Lists a number of organizations that assist cancer survivors and

their caregivers with transportation to and from treatments.

http://www.gwccs.org/flights.html

Children's Flight of Hope

Children's Flight of Hope provides free, private air transportation

to and from medical facilities for children in need. " With our

organization-owned aircraft and crew of experienced volunteer

pilots, we transport children and their families to and from

hospitals throughout the eastern United States. We seek to

ensure that children in our service area (North Carolina) are not

denied access to medical treatment at distant facilities due to

either financial need or a medical condition that precludes travel

via ground or commercial aircraft. " You can find more information

about their program at:

http://www.childrensflightofhope.org/.

Corporate Angel Network

Free flights for cancer patients and their families. Private jets

used by corporations that have empty seats, free flights. No

financial requirements. One of many advantages is low risk of

exposure to contagious illness because just a few people are on

plane. 1-.

http://www.corpangelnetwork.org/

Delta AirSky Wish at United Way

Free flights, no financial requirements. Call 1- ext.

285, .

Dreamline

This is a group which provides free airline travel for kids with

serious illnesses. The flights can be for treatment or just for fun.

http://www.bobiverson.com/dreamline/

Lifeline Pilots

LifeLine Pilots is a private, non-profit organization that provides

people in medical and financial distress with access to free air

transportation on small (4-6 seat), private aircraft for health care

and other compelling human needs.

http://www.lifelinepilots.org/

Mercy Medical Airlift

(MMA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving people in

situations of compelling human need through the provision of

charitable air transportation. MMA is totally supported through

charitable giving and the services of volunteer pilots and office

assistants.

http://www.mercymedical.org/

Miracle Flights for Kids

Transporting children to medical treatment since 1985. (702)

261-0494

http://www.miracleflights.com/

National Patient Air Travel HELPLINE

Provides information about all forms of charitable, long-distance

medical air transportation and provides referrals to all

appropriate sources of help available through the Angel Flight

America Network. Call 1-. Once NPATH, now also

known as www.patienttravel.org.

http://www.patienttravel.org/

Northwest Airlines, Kid Cares program

The Northwest Airlines KidCares medical travel program

provides air travel to children age 18 and younger who are

unable to receive treatment in their home area. Those with

financial need have priority. 1-.

http://www.nwa.com/corpinfo/aircares/about/kidcares.shtml

TWA Operation Liftoff

" Providing special trips to children who are facing life threatening

illness. " Free flights, no financial requirements. Call

.http://www.operationliftoff.com/

------------------------------------------------------------------------

(the following don't seem to have web sites)

American Airlines, Advantage Miles for Kids in Need

Helps those in financial need. 1-817-963- 8118.

Continental Careforce

Has a contract with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for

reduced or free airline tickets. Bob Jack at 1-.

Midwest Express Miracle Miles

One free flight, thereafter flights are discounted. No financial

requirements. Call Fuerst at 1-.

Reach Family Institute

1-

Wings of Freedom

Last minute connections, commercial airlines.