Ways to Give Back!

I am starting a new series on CG that will list organizations in need, mostly CF and transplant related, but others, too. This blog is patient-advocacy centered (in, obviously, all the crizzaazzyyyy forms that means to me, the author:) I like to highlight organizations that directly benefit patients and families in need, and those that specifically attempt to make their sources of aid easy to obtain for patients and families in crisis who might not have time to copy their tax records in triplicate, for example. These organizations, often, operate on a good-will policy toward patients and families and often have the hardest time weathering economic storms. Usually off the radar of large corporations, smaller patient advocacy groups are usually quite dependent on small, individual donations.

I also like to highlight organizations that are "grass roots" in that they are run completely by the families of patients, and by patients themselves. These mothers, fathers, husbands, wives and caregivers are fighting their illness every day, and also trying to run a small not-for-profit? Talk about two of the hardest jobs on earth. They need our help, either financially, or as volunteers.

I encourage any one who can, to donate to the organizations I feature here. You can also help out by writing "no acknowledgment necessary," if you make a small donation. This way, the organization will not spend $1 of your $10 donation on the letterhead, envelope, stamp, and time of sending you a thank you.

I hope to start with this list:

Drew's Team
Angel Flight
Noah's Hope
Lymphangiomatosis & Gorham's Disease Foundation
Rock CF
American Cancer Society
Ronald McDonald House.

First Up: Angel Flight, and particularly, Angel Flight Northeast

Angel Flight is an organization near to my heart because I have already benefited from their services in my planning for travel to Cleveland Clinic. They have been so wonderful to work with, so kind, and so charitable in providing transportation to patients and their caregivers for medically necessary travel. As many of you know, the costs of the transplant process are astronomical, even with *good* health insurance, and travel/lodging expenses are almost never covered by health insurance companies.

From Angel Flight's Website:

Who is Angel Flight NE?

We are a volunteer corps of over 1,000 private pilots and "Earth Angels" who combine our love of flying with the spirit of grassroots volunteerism by flying patients and their families to the critical health care they need. We provide air transportation in private aircraft by volunteer pilots so that children and adults may access life saving medical care free of charge.

Angel Flight Northeast is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization that provides free air transportation to patients whose financial resources would not otherwise enable them to receive treatment or diagnosis, or who may live in rural areas without access to commercial airlines.

We are also a vital mode of transportation for organs, blood and for patients awaiting organ transplants. We also make compassion flights and provide air care wherever there is a compelling human need. Through our membership in Air Care Alliance, we can arrange flights throughout most of the country and Canada. Angel Flight Northeast flies extensively in the Northeast portion of the country.
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Ways to Give and Support AFNE

Angels like you are needed to help AFNE continue to realize our dream of providing access to quality health care for every man, woman and child in the U.S. Your investment in Angel Flight--whether it be finances, time, or services--will go directly to helping us help our patients, many of whom turn to us for help at the most frightening and critical time of their lives. Learn more.

> Make a Contribution Online
Our online giving process is fast, easy, and secure. You can even donate in memory of a loved one or in honor of a birthday, anniversary or special occasion of a family member or friend.

* Donate to our General fund.

> Make a Contribution by Telephone

Please call our office at (978) 794-6868, Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time

> Make a Contribution via Postal Mail

Please make checks payable to "Angel Flight NE" and mail to:

Angel Flight NE
Lawrence Municipal Airport
492 Sutton Street
North Andover, MA 01845

If your gift is in memory of or in honor of an individual, please include the name and address of the person who is to be notified.

Read all their information and more ways to give, including volunteer-ism, at

http://www.angelflightne.org/