UPDATE: Angel Flights East discontinuting free medical flights for Lyme Kids

[Guest guest]

Hello: My name is Pam Kahl and I am working with ILADS, helping with marketing

communications.

I spoke with the Chairman of the Board at Angel Flight today. ANGEL FLIGHT

EAST IS NOT DISCONTINUING SERVICE TO LYME PATIENTS.

Please see below for email I sent earlier today regarding this situation.

Kind regards, Pam

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``

I have good news about this situation.

I spoke with Dave Prutzman, president and chairman of the board for Angel

Flight East. The key message is that there has been a big mis-understanding

and they have no intent to stop serving Lyme patients. In fact, their service

of Lyme patients could provide good evidence points to help reinforce the

existence of chronic Lyme and the debilitating nature of the illness. .

Here's the background:

Apparently one of their pilots, who is an MD, voiced an opinion challenging the

validity of Lyme treatment and questioned whether or not they should continue to

service Lyme patients. As the new president/chairman of the board, Dave felt it

appropriate to double check with the BOD on policy. He found that this issue

has been reviewed multiple times in the past and the Angel Flight policy remains

that all decisions are based on need, not medical diagnosis.

Unfortunately, the Angel Flight transport coordinator mis-interpreted Dave's

decision to check with the BOD and told one Lyme patient that she would have to

put a hold on their request, pending BOD decision.

Dave has made it clear that Angel Flight East absolutely remains committed to

servicing Lyme patients. In fact, he personally has transported many Lyme

patients and understands how serious the condition can be. He also told me that

in 2006 20% of the people they transported were Lyme patients. Another 20% were

cancer, 7% were burn victims, 30% were compassion missions and the remaining 13%

were misc conditions.

Dave went on to say that pilots have a right to their opinion and can decide if

they personally want to accept a mission. But if one pilot passes on a

particular mission, there are always a number of other pilots willing to accept.

He was incredibly gracious and apologetic about the mistake made by the

transport coordinator.