The mercy medical angels logo is blue and white

Patient Needing Kidney Transplant Flies to Distant Care

November 11, 2023
Patient after receiving kidney transplant, thanks to charitable transportation

Needing a Transplant

Barbara has dealt with a series of health struggles. She has high blood pressure and many of the problems that come with it. With help from her doctors, Barbara tries her hardest to keep her cardiovascular health under control. 



More recently, however, she encountered a problem she couldn’t control – kidney disease. After being on dialysis for five years, her current treatment plan stopped being effective. She would need a kidney transplant. 


From Fearful Nights...

After doing the research, Barbara found out about a specialist who could help her. However, a problem jumped out and got in the way. The specialist’s office was at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, located in Des Moines, Iowa.  


The distance between her home and treatment was almost 670 miles. Driving wasn’t an option. If she didn’t stop, it would last almost 13 hours on the road – and that’s just going one way. Flying would take a much shorter time. But there was no way she could afford a round-trip ticket to the care she needed. 



Barbara’s fear and anxiety was getting the best of her. If she couldn’t see this specialist, her health would continue to deteriorate. How would she travel to the care she needed? 


...To Hopeful Flights

Luckily for Barbara, she wasn’t alone in her journey. Mercy Medical Angels was there to help. With funding from The Hogan Foundation, Mercy Medical Angels provided charitable flights so Barbara could see the specialist. 


The specialist performed a kidney transplant for Barbara. Thankfully, the operation was successful.  Recovery was fairly quick. Still, Barbara would need to return for follow-up appointments. Mercy Medical Angels and The Hogan Foundation teamed up for her again, making possible what seemed impossible. 


 Barbara’s fear had since turned into hope. She was on the way to better health – and a better quality of life. 


"May You Continue to Be Blessed!"

As the years go on, Barbara may need to travel to distant care more often. But she knows that she doesn’t have to fly solo. Mercy Medical Angels and The Hogan Foundation helped her take off into the skies of hope, and they will continue to do so.  


“I just want to say thank you to Mercy Medical Angels,” said Barbara. “You have helped me and so many others get to the care we need."


"May you continue to be blessed!”  


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: