"Less than a year to live."

"Palliative care."

"There's nothing more we can do."

These words change everything. They stop time. They steal breath. They make the future disappear.

But sometimes, they're not the end of the story. Sometimes, there's a specialist across the country who sees things differently. A clinical trial that offers new hope. A second opinion that opens a door everyone thought was closed.

The only problem: getting there. These are the stories of patients who refused to accept a terminal timeline, and the transportation assistance that helped them find another way.

Nicole: From "Less Than a Year" to Life-Changing Surgery

The Diagnosis No One Wants

In late 2022, Nicole was experiencing intense pain in her hips and legs. Doctors found a large tumor at the left side of her groin and rushed her to surgery. The tumor was successfully removed.

But in February 2023, Nicole found herself short of breath. Upon returning to the hospital, they found a leiomyosarcoma, a soft tissue tumor, on her heart. Her local hospital wanted to try high-dose chemotherapy. If that didn't put the cancer in remission, they were going to put her in 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 a clinical trial at Cedars-Sinai with a doctor who specialized in the treatment of leiomyosarcoma. This doctor was assembling a team of specialists. Nicole saw hope on the horizon.

But Cedars-Sinai was far from home. Nicole couldn't work anymore due to her illness. She couldn't afford gas. The distance threw a curveball in her plans.

A Lifeline Appears

Mercy Medical Angels sent Nicole gas cards. She made it to the clinical trial. She accessed routine scans and checkups, physical therapy, life-changing surgery, and more.

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

"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."

Henry: A Foster Father Fights Melanoma

A Dreadful Diagnosis

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 the children grown and gone, they were about to enjoy their retirement.

Then Henry went for a routine check-up and found out he had skin cancer. To be exact, Stage 2 spindle cell melanoma. This kind of cancer is fast-growing and dangerous. His best chance at beating it would be treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.

Roadblocks Emerge

Unfortunately, roadblocks emerged on Henry's path to getting better. He and Martha were quickly running out of funds. They could afford their bills every month, but they couldn't afford repeated long-distance trips to medical care. The situation was looking bleak.

Roadblocks Removed

Henry and Martha applied for charitable air transportation through Mercy Medical Angels. They 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."

Cora: Beating Rare Breast Cancer, Then Facing Lymphedema

Cancer Found Late

2008 was a year of unexpected events for Cora. It was the year her health began to deteriorate after finding out she had a rare form of breast cancer. By the time doctors found the cancer, it was already in an advanced stage. Worse, it was beginning to spread.

Aggressive Treatment, Lasting Consequences

Doctors prescribed a powerful drug that targeted her rare breast cancer, along with radiation. After finishing the aggressive treatment, there was good news and bad news. The good news: Cora was finally cancer free. The bad news: the radiation had damaged her lymphatic system, leading fluid to collect in her left arm and hand.

Cora tried everything to relieve the painful swelling caused by lymphedema. All solutions were short-term at best. She needed a surgeon who specialized in lymphatic plastic surgery, someone who could drain the excess fluid and restore the appearance and function of her arm and hand.

From Arizona to Ohio

There are very few of these specialist surgeons in practice. Cora's best bet was one in Columbus, Ohio. But she lives in a small town in Arizona. There was no way she could afford airfare.

Mercy Medical Angels and the Hogan Family Foundation teamed up. Together, they planned and covered Cora's medically necessary travel. She was able to see the specialist in Ohio. She was starting to get her life back.

"Often, I carry my battle against cancer alone. To reach out and know that there are caring people gives me a sense of hope."

Carol: A 77-Year-Old Widow Staying Alive

Carol has non-Hodgkin's follicular cell lymphoma. She's been on chemotherapy for 18 months. Currently, her lymphoma is stable. It isn't growing, but it isn't completely in remission either. She has to go to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for treatment, checkups, and scans.

"I am a 77-year-old widow living off of Social Security in the senior citizen apartment," Carol explained. "I wouldn't be able to undertake these obligations that are keeping me alive if it wasn't for Mercy Medical Angels."

Carol is still struggling financially with medical insurance, prescription costs, and even food. She would never have been able to afford air travel for medical care, along with her son who helps her, without assistance.

"As far as my mental wellness, if I were not able to see my medical team at MD Anderson Cancer Center, I would be very mentally distressed. That could actually cause a flareup."

"I'm just blessed. If it wasn't for Mercy Medical Angels, I would not be able to see the lymphoma doctors at MD Anderson for my treatments, checkups, and scans. Praise God for this organization!"

Ingrid: Multiple Organ Transplants, 400 Miles from Home

Ingrid was born with a rare heart condition. As her life went on, her health got progressively worse. Her heart wasn't the only part of her body in danger of shutting down. Her lungs were quickly declining as well. On top of that, she was dealing with high blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic pain.

It soon became evident that Ingrid would need multiple organ transplants to save and change her life. The best hospital that could help was in Houston, Texas, about 400 miles from her home in Mississippi. She couldn't drive long distances due to chronic pain. She couldn't afford commercial airfare. She was stuck.

Through a partnership with the Hogan Family Foundation, Mercy Medical Angels paid for and arranged round-trip flights. "I enjoyed my travel experience," said Ingrid, "because everyone with Mercy Medical Angels was so kind and helpful. The associates on my flights were also great, helping me get on and off the plane."

"You helped out a lot when I was unable to pay for travel expenses. I love Mercy Medical Angels. Keep doing what you're doing!"

Kristina: A Second Opinion That Changed Everything

Sometimes, the most important journey isn't to treatment. It's to clarity.

Kristina was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She needed answers. She needed a plan. She needed to know what she was facing and what could be done about it. MD Anderson Cancer Center could provide a second opinion, but getting there was another matter.

Mercy Medical Angels made it possible for Kristina to travel to MD Anderson. There, she got what she was looking for: a clear plan in place regarding her treatment.

"This has given me so much clarity and peace of mind that I just didn't have before. I can't thank all y'all enough for everything that you do!"

What These Stories Teach Us

Every story here shares common threads:

• The refusal to accept the first answer: Each patient or family researched, asked questions, and sought alternatives.
• The gap between knowledge and access: Knowing a specialist exists doesn't help if you can't get there.
• The power of transportation assistance: Gas cards and airline tickets become the bridge between despair and possibility.
• The importance of partnerships: Organizations like the Hogan Family Foundation working with Mercy Medical Angels multiply the impact.

A terminal diagnosis is devastating. But it doesn't have to be the final word. Sometimes, the specialist who sees things differently is just a flight away. Sometimes, the clinical trial that offers new hope is waiting. The question is whether patients can get there.

Have You Been Given a Difficult Prognosis?

If you or a loved one needs to travel for a second opinion, a clinical trial, or specialized treatment, Mercy Medical Angels may be able to help with transportation.

We provide gas cards for ground transportation and assistance with commercial airline tickets for longer distances. Veterans receive additional support through Angel Wings for Veterans.

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