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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – White Plains NY — In April of 2016, Corporate Angel Network (www.corpangelnetwork.org) will celebrate their 50,000th flight, transporting cancer patients to treatment in the empty seats of corporate jets, free of charge. Corporate Angel Network is the only charitable organization in the United States whose sole mission is to help cancer patients access the best possible treatment for their specific type of cancer by arranging free travel to treatment across the country in corporate jets. This not only improves the patients’ chances of survival but at the same time, it reduces their emotional stress, physical discomfort and financial burden. Also, by flying on a corporate jet, patients don’t have to navigate crowded, germ-laden airports or breath recycled air on commercial planes, potentially dangerous to their compromised immune systems.
Since its inception in 1981, Corporate Angel Network, a 501©(3) organization with Public Charity status, has been matching patients and corporate partners whose jets already travel the desired routes for business. Over 500 well-known corporations participate in Corporate Angel Network’s program, including half of the Fortune 100 and many in the Fortune 500. Corporate Angel Network has received numerous awards in recognition of its service to cancer patients, including the highest volunteer award from the President of the United States, The Volunteer Action Award.
“By commemorating our 50,000th flight, we hope to bring renewed attention to our service,” said Corporate Angel Network’s Executive Director Emeritus , Peter H. Fleiss. “Our goal is to let cancer patients know that if they need to travel for specialized treatment, they have an option that will make their lives, and the lives of their families, considerably less stressful during a very difficult time. In addition, we hope to bring new corporate partners into the fold to expand our reach and our ability to help more people.”
Corporate Angel Network began in 1981, when three people shared the dream of using empty seats on corporate aircraft to transport cancer patients to treatment centers nationwide. Leonard M. Greene, founder and former president of Safe Flight Instrument Corporation, Priscilla H. Blum, a licensed commercial pilot, and Jay N. Weinberg, then owner of Mt. Vernon, NY Avis Car Rental franchise together developed the idea of asking corporations to accept these patients as guest passengers. On December 22, 1981, Greene, a pilot, personally flew the fist Corporate Angel Network flight, bringing a patient home to Detroit for Christmas from treatment in New York City. From that day forward, Corporate Angel Network literally soared.
Corporate Angel Network is based in White Plains, NY with a staff of six and 30 part-time volunteers. Together, they work with patients, physicians, corporate flight departments and leading treatment centers to arrange more than 2,500 patient flights per year. Patients must register with Corporate Angel Network within three weeks of an appointment with, or discharge from, their cancer treatment center. Corporate Angel Network will check with the physician to confirm that the patient is well enough to fly and will then begin looking for a corporate flight matching the patient’s requested travel route. To fly with Corporate Angel Network, patients must be able to walk unassisted up the steps of corporate aircraft, be able to sit during the flight and must not be in need of oxygen, IV or onboard medical assistance. Patients may travel with an adult companion and a child may travel with two adults.
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Corporate Angel Network is a 501(c) (3) with public charity status as described in the Internal Revenue Service’s IRS sections 509 (a) (1) and 170 (b) (1) (a) (vi) and is supported entirely by contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations.
For more information on Corporate Angel Network go to: www.corpangelnetwork.org or call (914) 328-1313.
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