They're the ones who make the phone calls. Research the specialists. Pack the bags. Navigate the airports. Hold the hands during appointments. And somehow, find a way to pay for it all.

Behind every patient who travels hundreds of miles for medical care, there's often a caregiver who made that journey possible. A parent who refused to accept that their child couldn't reach the specialist. A spouse who took two months off work to drive to treatment. A family member who coordinated flights they couldn't afford.

These are their stories.

Ron: A Father of Six, Fighting for His Son

About four years ago, Ron's son Benjamin got sick very rapidly. For over a year, no one could provide a diagnosis. After initial treatment at St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis, they were referred to Cincinnati Children's Hospital. That's where they finally got answers: Benjamin has autoimmune encephalitis, a condition where his immune system attacks his brain by mistake.

Ron is a minister at a small church. He hasn't received a raise since the lockdowns in 2020. He and his wife have six children, some with complex medical needs like Benjamin. Finances are extremely tight.

Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic's volunteer pilot program has made it possible for Ron to get Benjamin to Cincinnati Children's for his care over the past year-and-a-half. One time when weather grounded them in Cincinnati, the pilots rented them a car so they could complete the trip.

Benjamin still needs another year of treatment. But Ron knows they're not in this struggle alone.

"We have met so many generous people. Mercy Medical Angels and their volunteer pilot program have repeatedly been an incredible blessing to our family!"

Ailah's Mother: From Stumbling to Soaring

Ailah was born in 2020 with a fetal maternal hemorrhage. About two-thirds of her blood had leaked out into her mother before birth. She wasn't breathing or moving when she was born. The medical team rushed her to the NICU and managed to save her life after two months.

As the years continued, Ailah couldn't sit up on her own, walk, or use her arms. She couldn't feed herself. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Experts said she would need intensive therapy to gain motor skills and learn how to communicate.

Ailah's mother jumped into research. The specialists who could help Ailah best were in Orlando, Florida, over 1,000 miles away. Flying would be too expensive. Driving was out of the question. But if Ailah couldn't make it to the specialists, her quality of life would deteriorate further.

"I felt like I was stumbling on a difficult path, with no idea how to continue," Ailah's mother recalled.

Through a partnership with the Hogan Family Foundation, Mercy Medical Angels arranged and paid for a round-trip flight. After two weeks of intensive therapies, Ailah and her mother went back home.

"The staff at Mercy Medical Angels were amazing and understanding about our needs. We loved working with them. Ever since Ailah was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, it's been a struggle. But we keep fighting."

Natisha: A Mother Managing Her Own Health While Caring for Her Daughter

Sage was recently diagnosed with Börjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome (BFLS), a rare genetic disorder that can cause developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, obesity, facial differences, and other complications. She also has juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), which causes her extreme pain daily. She often needs to travel from her rural hometown in Southern Utah to Salt Lake City for medical care.

Sage's mother, Natisha, has chronic health issues of her own. The side effects from her medications combined with pain and fatigue make it nearly impossible for her to both work at a job and care for Sage. She had to choose where to prioritize her limited energy, and chose caring for Sage.

But this meant driving long distances to and from medical care was putting a strain on the family's finances. Natisha became restless in her search for help.

Mercy Medical Angels sent Natisha gas cards, making it possible for her to afford ground transportation for Sage's medical care. Sage even got the chance to visit an aquarium after her latest round of treatments.

"Thanks to Mercy Medical Angels sending us gas cards, my daughter is thriving and getting better every day. We appreciate all the help!"

Martha: Standing by Her Husband Through Melanoma

Henry and Martha live on a small farm in Alabama. For many years, they gave back to their community as foster and adoptive parents. Since all the children they adopted have grown up and left the house, they were about to enjoy their retirement.

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

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

Mercy Medical Angels helped pay for round-trip airline tickets so Henry could fly to and from Moffitt Cancer Center. Martha could be there with him through it all.

"Mercy Medical Angels has been wonderful to work with. 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."

Ariana's Parents: An Answer to Their Prayers

When Ariana was younger, she was burned across her chest, from her neck down to her waist. The burns were treated at the time, but doctors said she would need surgery and other treatment later to address the scarring.

Ariana was referred to Shriners Children's Hospital in Boston. Unfortunately, her family didn't have the funds to get there. They didn't know how Ariana would receive the surgery and treatment she needed to heal her burns and scars.

Mercy Medical Angels' volunteer pilot program made it possible for Ariana to receive the care she needed.

"They took fantastic care of us, from the time we applied to the time Ariana arrived at Shriners," her parents shared. "The communication and coordination with all who were involved was incredible!"

"It's safe to say Ariana would not have been able to get to Shriners if the volunteer pilots of Mercy Medical Angels weren't there. They really were an answer to our prayers."

Dominic's Parents: From Illinois to NIH

Dominic has been hospitalized five times this year. He's been subjected to countless lab tests, scans, and two biopsies on the path toward a diagnosis. His doctors are now concerned that he could have a rare, genetic condition. He needs testing and treatment from the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

The NIH is a very long way from their home in central Illinois. Commercial flights would stretch an already-strained budget even further, on top of Dominic's astronomical medical bills.

Mercy Medical Angels provided a discount on the commercial flights necessary to take Dominic and his family to Maryland. They were able to use the money they saved on airfare to make a larger payment on his medical bills.

"We really appreciate your help in this matter. It has made such a difference for our family. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!"

Autumn's Husband: Two Months Off Work to Drive to Treatment

Autumn was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago. Starting in January, she needed eight weeks of chemo and radiation, Monday through Friday. She'd probably need surgery eventually, along with other doctor's appointments.

Her small town doesn't have the resources she needs. She needed to travel approximately 200 miles to Cleveland Clinic. Her husband is helping by driving. But he had to take two months off work for it, which was a real financial blow. Autumn couldn't work due to her medical problems. She'd cashed in and used all her savings and retirement funds.

Mercy Medical Angels sent her gas cards to reduce the cost of driving to treatment.

"Thanks to Mercy Medical Angels, I can have some financial stability and maintain my physical and mental wellness. The transportation assistance increases my quality of life as well."

What Caregivers Need to Know

If you're caring for someone who needs to travel for medical treatment, you're likely dealing with:

• Financial strain: Lost wages from time off work, plus travel costs on top of medical bills.
• Logistical complexity: Coordinating appointments, travel, lodging, and family responsibilities.
• Emotional exhaustion: Worry about your loved one, plus the weight of making everything happen.
• Physical demands: Long drives, airport navigation, and supporting your loved one through it all.

You don't have to carry this alone. Transportation assistance exists specifically because the journey to healing shouldn't be stopped by the cost of getting there.

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