A rare cancer diagnosis changes everything. In an instant, you become an expert on a disease most people have never heard of. You learn to pronounce words like leiomyosarcoma and chordoma. You discover that the doctors who specialize in your specific cancer can be counted on one hand, and they're scattered across the country.

For the approximately 600,000 Americans living with a rare cancer, finding the right specialist isn't just about getting a second opinion. It's often the difference between a grim prognosis and a fighting chance.

But what happens when the specialist you need is in California and you live in Oregon? When the clinical trial that could save your life requires weekly trips you can't afford? When the best treatment center is a plane ride away and your savings have already been drained by medical bills?

These are the stories of four people who refused to let distance determine their fate.

Nicole: "Less Than a Year to Live"

A Tumor on Her Heart

In late 2022, Nicole was experiencing intense pain in her hips and legs. At Loma Linda hospital, doctors discovered a large tumor at the left side of her groin. They rushed her to surgery and successfully removed it.

But just a few months later, in February 2023, Nicole found herself short of breath. She returned to Loma Linda, where doctors delivered devastating news: they had found a leiomyosarcoma, a soft tissue tumor, on her heart.

This tumor couldn't be operated on at Loma Linda. The doctors wanted to try high-dose chemotherapy. If that didn't work, they would move her to palliative care. Either way, the prognosis was grim. They expected Nicole to have less than a year to live.

Refusing to Give Up

Nicole wasn't even 50 yet. She had a family to take care of. "The thought of dying and leaving them was overwhelming," she said.

She immersed herself in research. Her older brother found information about a clinical trial at Cedars-Sinai, where a doctor specialized in treating leiomyosarcoma. This specialist was assembling a team for a clinical trial. For Nicole, it was hope on the horizon.

When Distance Throws a Curveball

There was just one problem. Cedars-Sinai was a considerable distance from Nicole's home. She couldn't work anymore due to her illness, and she couldn't afford the high cost of gas for repeated trips to the clinical trial.

Mercy Medical Angels sent Nicole gas cards, making it possible for her to drive to and from Cedars-Sinai. She was able to attend routine scans and checkups, physical therapy, and eventually access life-changing surgery.

"I believe God granted me another chance at life, by putting me in the hands of the amazing people at Mercy Medical Angels and the doctors at Cedars Sinai. I'm truly thankful."

"My journey with cancer is ongoing," Nicole said, "but I'm doing much better thanks to the amazing doctors at Cedars-Sinai, and the great people at Mercy Medical Angels."

Robert: One in a Million

A Rare Diagnosis

Robert is a veteran who lives with his wife in Oregon. After years of serving his country, he was enjoying retirement while his wife worked part-time as a realtor. Life was good.

Then Robert was diagnosed with a chordoma, a slow-growing but malignant tumor that forms along the spine. Chordomas are extremely rare, with only about one in a million people diagnosed each year. In Robert's case, the tumor was at the base of his spine, which carried a worse prognosis than if it had appeared elsewhere.

The Perseverance of a Veteran

If there was one thing Robert kept from his time in the military, it was perseverance. He wasn't going to give up without a fight. His research showed that his best chance was specialized surgery to remove the tumor, followed by proton therapy. But the specialist he needed was in California.

His wife's realtor business had hit a slow period. Their savings were dwindling. Driving to California would take far too long, even without stops. Flying was too expensive. Robert and his wife grew desperate, researching options, applying for help, and praying.

An Answer to Prayer

Mercy Medical Angels arranged charitable flights on American Airlines so Robert could fly to California for his life-saving cancer treatment.

"They really helped in a lot of ways. Thanks to them, I maintained physical and mental wellness, and had greater financial stability."

Robert has returned home to Oregon. He doesn't know if he'll need more treatments in the future, but now he knows where to turn if he needs help getting there.

Sharon: Choosing Her Own Path

A Rare Form of Breast Cancer

In 2018, Sharon received news no one wants to hear: she had a rare form of breast cancer. Her doctors told her she needed surgery followed by radiation, immediately. When she asked for time to think, they warned that waiting would give the cancer time to spread, requiring chemotherapy on top of the surgery and radiation.

A Different Road

Sharon spoke with a friend who had survived cancer and worked as an oncology nurse. This friend introduced her to holistic and alternative treatments: trauma therapy, specialized supplements, infusions, and cryoablation, which targets and kills cancer cells with extreme cold. It was a different path with fewer side effects. It had worked for Sharon's friend and others.

Sharon connected with a team of specialists in Irvine, California who were willing to provide these treatments and had presented at medical conferences on these topics. The catch? Since these treatments weren't mainstream, they weren't covered by insurance. And the cost of driving to Irvine repeatedly, with gas prices soaring, added to Sharon's financial struggles.

From Obstacles to Optimism

Mercy Medical Angels sent Sharon gas cards, making it possible for her to afford the cost of traveling to her specialists. With the financial burden of transportation lifted, Sharon's battles became a little less stressful, contributing to a more optimistic outlook.

In April 2025, Sharon spoke at a conference alongside her specialists. She helped raise money for a clinical trial studying cryoablation. More opportunities to advocate for cancer patients are lining up for her.

"My life is so fulfilling. I live my life like I don't have cancer, while doing what I need to do to treat it."

Henry: A Lifetime of Giving Back

Life Before Cancer

Henry lives with his wife, Martha, on a small farm in Alabama. For many years, they gave back to their community as foster and adoptive parents. With all their children now grown and out of the house, Henry and Martha were ready to enjoy their retirement.

Then came the routine check-up that changed everything.

A Dreadful Diagnosis

Henry was diagnosed with Stage 2 spindle cell melanoma, a fast-growing and dangerous form of skin cancer. His best chance at beating this diagnosis would be treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, one of the nation's leading cancer treatment facilities.

But Henry and Martha were quickly running out of funds. They could afford their monthly bills, but they couldn't afford repeated long-distance trips from Alabama to Florida. The situation was looking bleak.

Roadblocks Removed

Henry and Martha applied for charitable air transportation through Mercy Medical Angels and were approved. Mercy Medical Angels helped pay for round-trip airline tickets so Henry could fly to and from Moffitt Cancer Center.

"The trauma of having cancer is devastating, but having the help of Mercy Medical Angels to be able to travel to the best treatment center for a chance to beat cancer helps make it a lot less stressful."

For a couple who spent their lives giving back to others, receiving help when they needed it most made all the difference.

Distance Should Never Determine Survival

Rare cancers demand specialized care. The doctors who understand your specific diagnosis, the clinical trials that offer cutting-edge treatments, the cancer centers with the expertise to give you a fighting chance may be far from home.

Nicole was given less than a year to live. Today, she's doing much better and advocating for others. Robert faced a one-in-a-million diagnosis. He received treatment and returned home. Sharon chose a different path to healing. She's now speaking at conferences. Henry and Martha, who spent their lives helping others, found help when they needed it most.

Since 1972, Mercy Medical Angels has provided free transportation assistance to patients who cannot afford the cost of travel to medical care. For patients with rare cancers, this assistance can mean the difference between accepting a grim prognosis and accessing the specialists who can change it.

Facing a Rare Cancer Diagnosis?

If you or a loved one needs to travel for cancer treatment, clinical trials, or specialized care, Mercy Medical Angels may be able to help. Our programs assist patients at or below 300% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (400% for veterans) with:

• Gas cards for ground transportation to treatment centers
• Volunteer pilot flights through Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic
• Commercial airline ticket assistance

We understand that when you're fighting cancer, you shouldn't have to fight the logistics of getting to care too.

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