Angel Flight Southeast Inc

I hate to have to write this. My Angel Flight Southeast flight was canceled the night before. I lost over $100. from Airbnb reservations that were refundable, but we're not at that late hour. I missed my appointment with a specialist for my incurable ultra-rare cancer.. This has created a rift because I wasted their time. You need to know how badly this can go. It can be your worst nightmare. I am not sure I will ever get the medical care I need now.

Angel Flight is extraordinary to say the least! The picture of are me & my mother.
I was financially broke, bedridden & on my last leg of hope. On top of all that I am my mother’s caregiver. She has Alzheimer’s.
I’ve been through a lot these last 12 years but I’d finally reached the end of my rope.
On a non-medical flight I met a pilot with Angel Flight. We started a conversation & he told me to try Angel Flight. I am SO thankful to that pilot & Angel Flight!!
I’m actually able to SAVE some money now. (Being on disability it’s difficult to save but I manage a bit lol.) I’m no longer completely bedridden. My pain level has reduced & I have hope. Oh so much hope!
I’ve had multiple surgeries & still have more to go. I have a severe spinal cord injury & all my surgeons & specialists are in Chicago, IL. I moved to FL a few years ago because they said the weather would help me. The cost of going back every 4 1/2 to 8 weeks for treatments & surgeries was killing me. Both with finances & my pain.
Without Angel Flight I would probably be homeless. My mother would be in a home & I would most likely be dead. You see without my surgeries my condition causes death if left alone. Surgeons & doctors here in FL won’t touch me. 1st my previous surgeries were done by other surgeons. 2nd my condition is too severe & complex.
I owe my life to Mercy Flight. I also owe them my quality of life. Thank you so very very much! From Deborah to Nicole & all those in between!
Also because of the distance of my trips I haven’t been fortunate enough to have my own pilot lol. I fly commercially but don’t let that fool you about the work Angel Flight puts in! They work hard to get things right, keep everyone informed & are there all throughout your trips. Everyone has been so nice & really do care about you & what you’re going through.
I wish there were some way I could show the people of Angel Flight how much they’ve done for me & how much they are appreciated! It’s the people at Angel Flight that truly make it what it is. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Forever in your debt.
Trish

There's not enough accolades I can give Angel Flight SE or the pilot Mike Coutcher. The office staff was always polite and patient with all my questions. Pilot Mike was professional and his landings were smoother than ones I've had with commercial aircraft. I truly do not know how I would've gotten to the Mayo Clinic without this service. I keep telling others about this wonderful service cancer patients have. God bless them and all associated with this organization!

Angel Flight Southeast has been wonderful in every aspect.
From their front office coordinating flights Nicole has always gone above and beyond to make sure all information is correct for a flight, plus she is a pleasure to speak with and very kind.
Every pilot has been fantastic, making sure to come into the airport to greet me, helping carry anything I may have if needed and getting settled in the plane.
I have been flying every few months for 7-8 years with Angel Flight and every pilot, every flight has been stupendous.
I have many beautiful photos from flights and treasure them all, with some great memories.
I have learned way more than I ever thought about flying, all so interesting too. I love to learn at least one new thing everyday and I have come from most flights with a plethora of knowledge.
I am grateful to every person involved. I do not know what I would have done without them.
I am honored that they have helped me for so long.
Thank you Steve Purello and Crew.
Carole T.
Photo; an early morning flight going north, Overseas Highway, Florida Keys

I was diagnosed with mucosal melanoma in 2016, one of the most aggressive known cancers. The Veterans Administration stated, there is nothing more we can do for this veteran". I was referred to Moffitt Cancer center in Tampa. The problem was transportation back and forth from Ft Lauderdale to make the appointments. In steps Angel Flight. Nicole and Deb were right there arranging free flights to make my appointments each time. I could not afford to do this otherwise as I was living on a pension from the VA. Though times were tough, Angel Flight and the volunteer pilots, were there for me every time. I never missed an appointment, thanks to them. They saved my life. I am forever grateful to you all.
Frank Campbell

My son Jeremiah's medical needs have been great over his 18yrs of life. We live in the panhandle of Florida and the best Doctors for him were in St Pete's John Hopkins he had a lot of surgeries for brain and spine and the cost for a family of 8 driving was great. Angel Flight came along side us and we had a LOT of flights that at no cost . We are so grateful for there service and the pilots great men that served us. All those flights gave my son a great chance in life to live a full and productive one. I thank God for Blessing us with you all

Mercy Flights volunteer pilot Charlie, likely SAVED MY LIFE! Let me explain. I’d been having treatment at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla. My home is three hours drive away, one way, six hours round trip. On a trip in early 2019, I was flown to Gainesville to get my spinal nerves burned (nerve ablations) as part of my pain management, after that, the neurosurgeon gave me a steroid shot. He knew I was a diabetic and said my blood sugars MAY go up a little. The drive again, is three hours, the flight, 45 minutes. After we landed home, and I was driving home from the airport, I felt HORRIBLE! I went to the ER. At first the nurse was casual, “let’s check you out”. She left with the blood she took. About 20 minutes later, she RUSHED into my room, looking scared. Never seen a nurse in a hospital look scared before. She was! She said we need to put an IV in you NOW!! I asked why? She said: “your blood sugars are over 550!!” We need to get insulin in you immediately!! Now, I’m scared!
If I had driven the three hours back home from the hospital in Gainesville, I likely could have gone into a diabetic coma and crashed my car! THAT MERCY FLIGHT, in my opinion, likely SAVED MY LIFE!! As it only took 45 minutes! Charlie was my pilot. I called him and told him all this. My doctor thinks the neurosurgeon probably accidentally injected the steroid shot into a vein accidentally, instead of muscle. And that’s why my blood sugars went above 550!
I am SO GRATEFUL to Charlie and Mercy Flight for likely saving my life! Because of a freak accident.
Mercy Flight HELPS SO MANY! Like they helped me with flights to my hospital I could not drive due to pain. They’ve ALWAYS been there for me. But THAT ONE flight likely saved me, saved my life! I’m so very grateful! There is a photo below of me, Charlie, his plane, and my nurse friend. THANKS Charlie! Thank you Mercy Flight!!!

Sincerely,
David Jenkins
770-377-9849

Larry is a lung transplant patient, a few years later was diagnosed with head an neck cancer, went to New York from Florida getting Larry the best chance to live, after depleting our funds with Larry still needing more treatment, asking for help was one of the hardest things for me to do , I knew I could no longer pay for the flights an I wanted my husband of 54 years to have the best chance of survival That meant I had to swallow my pride, I made the call they made us fell so at ease an very caring , they treated us with the Upmost respect. Thank you Angle Flight Southeast, y’all are truly Angle’s

My daughter and I were mauled by two pit bulls. Zoey green had her jaw completely crushed and her right side of the face shredded. She requires surgery every 12 weeks, and angel flight has been amazing on helping us get to our appointment in Galveston Texas. before we found them we would miss several holidays because of the time to drive there and back. It would take us two days to get there and two days back. Now that angel flight has helped we save four days of travel, and hotel expenses. This is an amazing organization,

I never knew Angle Flights was available until I got lost trying to get to the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, With the exception of 1/2 hour in the hospital and a 1/2 hour stop on the way home, I was in my car from 8:45 a.m till 11:00 p.m. and still missed my appointment. I was so lost and didn't know how I was going to make that long drive again. My doctor mentioned Angle Flights and than made arrangements for my travel. The people who flew me were the nicest people you would ever want to meet. I use to be afraid of flying even though I went up with my father who owned his own plain many times. But flying with Angel Flights, I felt right at home and enjoyed each flight. I'd like to get a Big Shout Out and a heartfelt THANK YOU to ALL the people at Angel Flights who volunteer their own time and money to help those less fortunate such as myself. You are Gifts From God and truly Angels yourselves. My prayers are with you for safe and happy travels and times ahead.

Angel Flight Southeast is absolutely what their name means, they’re Angels. They’ve saved my son’s life and mine. We are absolutely in debt with them, after been fighting cancer from my end and mitochondrial disease from my son, angel flight has been there every step of the way.

My Oncologist is located in Florence Alabama and I live in Dothan Alabama. Southeast has provided me several flights to and from. I’ve Always had excellent pilots! I’m always a bit nervous but the Pilots always ease my nerves. It saves me over 7 hours of drive time and after receiving my Treatment it would make for a really rough trip. I Thank God and the Awesome Pilots that have flown me!

I heard about Angel Flight through the Employee Assistance Program at my job when I needed to get to an appointment out of town. My appointment was to get a consultation to be added to a transplant list. I'm legally blind in one of my eyes and and have neuropathy in my legs so driving isn't an option for me.
The staff seemed like angels to me with their kindness, patience, understanding and unending efforts to make transportation possible for me.
The pilot who picked up my case treated me like I was doing him a favor by allowing him to help.
I completely overwhelmed by the kindness expressed by all involved!

I’m 7 years in remission from 4th Stage lung cancer. I never did chemo, radiation and needed to go to the “Horse” and not the trainers! Moffitt Cancer center had a clinical trail I qualified for. It’s a 3 hour drive and a 45 minute Angel Flight. Today you see the commercial from Bristol Myers for optiva and yervoy. The clinical trail\FDA approved has help God knows how many! I couldn’t of been a part of that if it wasn’t for Angel Flights. Still to this day for 6 month rechecks !! Extremely grateful MaryB. Hutchison Island, Fl.

Angelflight has been a Godsend for me. I’m surviving on disability and the added cost of getting to my visits was a huge strain on my budget. Angelflight came along at just the right time to get me to my visits and at no cost to me. The staff and volunteers have been great to work with on getting everything lined up to get me there. A true blessing to my treatment needs.

Angle Flights and their volunteers work tirelessly to help us get to MD Anderson for treatment. Can’t thank them enough.

Excellent coordination of flights. Flights were on time and very good. This service provided an outstanding option for me to be able to fly during COVID. I felt safe on all flights and truly appreciate this much needed service. Thank you.

Angel Flight Southeast has been a lifesaver for me. Each year, I have to fly to MD Anderson Cancer Center for a follow-up visit to monitor my leukemia. Luckily, it’s been in remission. Thanks to Angel Flight, I’ve been able to travel from my home in Florida to Texas at no additional expense for airfare. Their staff is so accommodating and wonderful to deal with. Thank God for Angel Flight! They really are angels! Andrea, Boca Raton

These guys are top-notch always willing to accommodate very courteous willing to help in every way they've helped me in my cancer situation many times. I am very grateful for all the stage of have done for me in the past and I'm sure we'll continue to do for me in the future thanks again guys to your time your experience and your caring!

Michael has cancer and needs a flight to and from his appts.Angel flights SouthEast were willing to accommodate him and his needs very professional courteous and most of all a God send.God Bless Each and Everyone of You.

What a Blessing the Staff, Scheduling and Pilots were to me and my husband. I was in a rather difficult situation as my husband had a massive stroke and can no longer speak and his right arm is severely affected. I was / am in intolerable pain every minute of every day and night. I also have my87 yr. old Mother-in-law that lives with us. I have degenerative double major scoliosis with the host of problems that it brings. I was and am again in need of complete spinal revision. Health issues took us from middle class America to a much different platform. It has been difficult and frightening. The people at Angel Flight treated us so kindly. The communication between all parties is vital and they do it well. I was never left to wonder where we were at in the planning stages. The pilots were all just splendid. There is one that I will never forget. This was our second trip to Dr./Hospital at Duke University. We would be there for apx. 6 weeks, so we were heavily packed. It was so hard for me to feel so ill, guide my husband and navigate from the airport to the Hotel. This Pilot must have seen the fatigue and stress on my face. He gracefully summoned a 1st class cab and paid the bill without my even knowing it. He held the doors, treated me like a lady the way my husband would have before the stroke. Now I open the door for him. I cried tears of relief to be treated so gently. I so needed his kindness. I was so scared, so ill, in so much pain, so worried about my husband during this trip. I will never forget what it felt like to be treated like a lady one more time. It was such a comfort to be taken care of. No one knows it yet, but soon (Lord willing) I will be calling for their services one more time. I could not receive the medical care if it were not for these good people. How do you thank someone for doing so much when you need it the most. They are Angels in Flight and on the ground. Thank You, Joan Turner

I began volunteering for Angel Flight in early 2013 and have loved every part of working with this organization. They are absolutely first class and make the process easy on the pilot and even easier on the patient (after all, that is the point, right?). I live in Charleston, SC and most of my flights are out of Charleston. The Angel Flight website sends out an email ever night at 6pm with the available missions and it includes the distance and the percent of "convenience" for the pilot (meaning how out of the way it is from your home airport). The convenient airports come in red to allow you to look at those immediately. This makes the process very easy. Once a flight is confirmed, Angel Flight does a great job coordinating the flight(s). All needed information is included in an email which is easily downloadable and printed. As long as I am an active pilot, I will volunteer for Angel Flight.

I am constantly amazed at the commitment and resources the volunteers at Angel Flight Southeast, Inc. contribute to make a difference in the lives of individuals who would otherwise not have access to lifesaving medical care. I began volunteering at AFSE as a Missions Operations Coordinator in 2005. During the Katrina hurricane, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to assist during the disaster to get medical and relief assistance to victims and was able to contribute my efforts to several incredible stories of AFSE mission recipients. Although, I no longer coordinate missions, I make an effort to continue to contribute in whatever small way possible to help AFSE continue their mission to help those in need during these difficult economic times. Angel Flight Southeast, Inc. is truly one of the great nonprofits and has been a life changing experience for me!!

I began volunteering as an Earth Angel for 2 years and 4 months. I answer the Hotline, give information and write up Missions. Our passengers are in the most critical stages of medical health and are searching for someone to assist them in their darker hours. Angel Flight Southeast is that someone! The assistance they are able to give these passengers, through our wonderful pilots, is just amazing. Each week I hear of a new story, how someone was transported for medical care that might not have been possible, if it were not for Angel Flight Southeast. I feel so fortunate to be able to help in some small way, with this "top flight" charity! Sincerely, Gloria Simonson

On April 11, 2010 I received a heart transplant at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa. I live on the east coast of Florida and was assigned Angel Flight to provide air transport for me to get to the hospital. When I was assigned to Angel Flight I never had heard about them. When Tampa General called and said a heart was available for me they said go to my local airport and look for a specific pilot that had accepted to take myself and my wife to Tampa for the heart transplant. The heart transplant did not take place that specific night but Angel Flight got me through a very difficult period in my life. Getting the call to meet the pilot and be flown to Tampa was like winning the lottery. It was something that has changed my life forever. This organization deseves a place in history. They provide transportation that changes peoples lives forever.

As one of several volunteer pilots who supply an aircraft and fuel, I flew Mom and her five-month old infant back to their home base in the Florida Panhandle. Earlier that morning, two other pilots handled the long journey down to Miami for a consult with the medical doctor to perform the weekly adjustment of the youngster's helmet to correct a skull deformity. After the appointment, another pilot transported them back to Central Florida for the hand-off to me to complete their journey. Mom was most appreciative because she had limited funds and her spouse recently passed away. For me it was over six hours of flying, and with almost three hours in pitch black because that part of the state is sparsely populated and a moonless night.

I help this organization by proof reading their letter, flyers and brochures. I've met many people that have been helped by AngelFlight SE and they always inspire me to help because they are so grateful for the assistance that AFSE provides when they need it.

As a volunteer for Angel Flight Southeast for about 4+ years, I have seen all the good things this charity does for both children and adults. So many would not be able to get the medical care that so many of them need without the free plane missions that they do. Hats off to the many pilots who donate their planes, fuel and time.

Angel Flight Southeast is a non-profit organization that coordinates the transport of patients by General Aviation airplanes. These are four-seater and lager aircraft, single and multi-engine, many owned by private individuals. The aircraft owners provide these charirable services free of charge. AF SE carries out this coordination in a very cost-efficient way, with minimal number of paid staff. Many patients make use of out services multiple times. Many patients are children.

I started volunteering with the intention to help out during one event four years ago. Once I got to really know what Angel Flight was all about, I never quit and wanted to do more. They have a true, sincere heart to help people and I couldn't think of a better organization to invest in. Whether it is giving an hour of my time or a monetary contribution, I know it is going to help those in need get where there need to go. Very rewarding! Thank you Angel Flight for all you do.