‘Angels’ fly those in need to medical appointments

Angel Flight pilots in the South Central region recently made their 10,000th flight.

By John Gordon*

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (UMNS)-- Living 200 miles from a major medical center, Brett and Brooke Hiebert became frequent fliers after they were born with an extremely rare genetic disorder.

But, the 4-year-old twins and their family have not had to worry about crowded terminals, airline schedules, or taking off their shoes to get through airport security—or even buying tickets.

“A three-and-a-half hour car trip is hard because that makes a seven-hour day without even factoring in the doctor’s appointment,” said Kathy Hiebert, the twins’ mother. “So if we have to drive, it just makes for a really, really long day. It’s harder on the kids.”

The twins—a boy and a girl-- have been to doctors and a hospital in Dallas dozens of times, receiving bone marrow transplanted from an older sister and younger brother. Their transportation problems were eased when a friend told them about Angel Flight, volunteer pilots who fly children and adults to medical appointments without charge.

“We help people get to the major markets where they can get specialized care,” explained United Methodist Kirk Bell, president of Angel Flight South Central.

“Often people (in smaller cities) can’t get the help they need,” said Bell. “Or the transportation burden is so great, it just makes it grueling on them when they are in a weakened condition.”

Brett and Brooke were born with chronic granulomatous disorder, a disease that puzzled local doctors but was diagnosed by a specialist in Dallas two-and-a-half years ago. Hiebert said the chances of Brett getting the disease were two in a million, and even less for Brooke—four-tenths in a million.

“The white cells don’t work properly and it leaves them susceptible to bacteria and fungi and they get bad infections,” Hiebert said.

Brooke underwent the first bone-marrow transplant. Brett returned home a month ago after his operation. Both are doing well. Brett’s only signs of illness are losing his hair and wearing a surgical mask when around other people to avoid the risk of infection.

“I like my doctors and the pilots,” he said.

His mother said Angel Flight has not only helped her children receive the treatment they need, but has also allowed the family to spend more time together.

Kathy Hiebert says Angel Flight has helped her family spend more time together.

There are five children in the family.

Angel Flight is growing rapidly. Pilots in the South Central region recently made their 10,000th flight. The number of flights annually has nearly tripled since 2001. Regional chapters are located across the country.

Pilots use their own planes and pay their own expenses, at an average cost of $200 for every hour in the air. A typical mission covers 300 miles.

“A lot of times, you find that pilots are looking for an excuse to fly,” said Bell, a stockbroker and former Air Force flight instructor. “This gives us a chance to fly and help someone.”

Some pilots fly one mission a year. The average is four. The top pilot made 76 flights last year, averaging more than one every week.

Bell said patients are not the only ones who benefit from Angel Flight.

“If you want to help yourself, help others. Angel Flight really gives me and so many others an opportunity to do that,” he said. 

“Since my involvement with Angel Flight, I feel like I’ve really had darn near a front-row seat to see the best that human nature has to offer through the generosity of our pilots, the volunteers, the ground angels.”

Volunteer pilot Butch Smith agrees about the rewards of Angel Flight. Smith owns a venture-capital company and heads an aerospace business in the Dallas area.

“I’ve had a lot of worldly accomplishments,” said Smith. “But nothing I’ve done in business is as intensely satisfying as flying an Angel Flight mission.”
 
Ground angels carry patients from airports to medical clinics and hospitals. Many of the patients, but not all, are children. Bell has also flown passengers in their 80s and 90s.

“If somebody needs assistance, we work to get it done,” he said.

Frequent destinations include M.D. Anderson, a well-known cancer center in Houston, and a cancer-research center in San Antonio.

Bell said the organization’s biggest need is recruiting more pilots to meet the increasing demand for flights. He said donations are also needed to pay for Angel Flight’s operating expenses and staff.

Brett will be making more trips to Dallas for follow-up care. Angel Flight pilots promise to be there when they are needed.

“The pilots are great,” said Hiebert. “They are always so sweet to the kids. They’re wonderful.”

On the web: Angel Flight South Central, www.angelflightsc.org and Angel Flight America, www.angelflightamerica.org

News media can contact Ginny Underwood, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

Suggested Resources Angel Flight Health Care Volunteers National Patient Travel Center