The mercy medical angels logo is blue and white

Mary: Winning in Winter

December 23, 2019

Winter Battleground

Winter is a quiet season. Snow blankets the ground with sparkling pure white. Silver icicles glisten on branches. Frost glitters on rooftops. The oblique rays of the sun reflect on the ice. The air is hushed, punctuated only by small birds and the wind in the trees.

But when someone is suffering from cancer, the peace of winter contorts into a battleground. It’s hard to get a footing on slippery terrain. Resources run out. Victory seems far away – or sometimes even impossible.

Mary was trapped on one such battleground.

Stuck in the Snows

Not too long ago, Mary contracted “a debilitating illness, from which I never fully recovered.” This illness caused her resources to plummet. Her only source of income is a small amount from Social Security.

On top of the first illness, Mary contracted colon cancer. It rapidly got worse, sliding to Stage 4 within a short period of time. Her last hope was treatment at Cleveland Clinic, but she couldn’t afford the travel. The clinic was more than 700 miles away from her home in Alabama. It was like she was stranded on a snowy road, with no way out.

No Delay

Luckily, Mercy Medical Angels and American Airlines lifted Mary from her predicament. Mercy Medical Angels and American Airlines found round-trip flights for her. She had to go back and forth through most of 2018 for treatment. She started off with twelve rounds of chemo. Then, a new development occurred in her treatment.

“It turned out that there was a new immunotherapy drug,” said Mary. “My genetics make me the textbook candidate for it.” This new immunotherapy drug is beating back the colon cancer. Most of all, it’s saving Mary’s life. She says, “The flight assistance been essential for my medical care.”

Sweet Victory

Mary is grateful to Mercy Medical Angels and American Airlines for playing a critical role in saving her life. “Mercy Medical Angels and American Airlines have provided kindness, support, and care that has made a huge difference in my life.”

Battling cancer is not an easy fight. It can make the quiet season of winter into a time of despair. But with help from Mercy Medical Angels and American Airlines, patients like Mary have a chance at winning in winter.

Share this story with others.

Share your thoughts about this story.

Read More Patient Stories

By Stephanie Singer March 31, 2025
A memorial tribute to John Billings, by Stephanie Singer.
By Stephanie Singer March 28, 2025
She survived breast cancer, but the treatments affected her health and quality of life. Find out how Mercy Medical Angels and the Hogan Family Foundation helped her.
Brain surgery patient after receiving charitable flights to medical care
By Stephanie Singer March 27, 2025
Read how a brain surgery patient accessed a needed neurology follow-up, thanks to charitable flights from Mercy Medical Angels... in her own words.
Nevin Showman (left) and Capt. John Billings (right) in front of their plane, 49Bravo.
By Stephanie Singer March 7, 2025
Read a heartfelt letter from Nevin Showman, one of our volunteer pilots, about how he's continuing Capt. John Billings' legacy.
By Stephanie Singer February 27, 2025
InsightsCare.com recently published an interview with our President and CEO about Mercy Medical Angels.
Woman with rare stomach cancer after receiving care at MD Anderson and University of Miami
By Stephanie Singer February 19, 2025
She was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer that only a few doctors in the country could effectively treat. Find out how Mercy Medical Angels helped her access the care she needed.
Man with two cancers after receiving treatment at MD Anderson in Houston thanks to volunteer pilots
By Stephanie Singer February 17, 2025
Read the story of a man suffering from cancer, who received distant care thanks to volunteer pilots... in his own words.
Woman with cancer who received treatment at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida thanks to gas cards
By Stephanie Singer February 15, 2025
Her best shot at beating cancer was at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. But she couldn't afford the cost of driving there... until Mercy Medical Angels stepped in.
Cancer patient after receiving treatment at Cleveland Clinic, thanks to gas cards
By Stephanie Singer February 13, 2025
Read the story of a cancer patient who's winning her battles with help from charitable ground transportation... in her own words.
Man with multiple myeloma after receiving care, thanks to gas cards
By Stephanie Singer February 11, 2025
He was battling multiple myeloma, but couldn't afford the long drives to access treatment. Find out how Mercy Medical Angels helped him.
More Posts
Share by: