At Angel Flight NE, we believe that no patient should ever have to worry about how they will reach life-saving medical care. For Larissa from Potsdam, NY, this belief has made all the difference. Larissa is currently undergoing treatment for cancer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, requiring frequent travel from Upstate New York to Massachusetts.

For many patients like Larissa, accessing specialized cancer treatment means traveling hundreds of miles multiple times a month. The logistics and financial strain of these trips can be overwhelming, making an already difficult journey even more challenging. That’s where Angel Flight NE steps in.

14 Flights of Hope & Healing—With More to Come

Since first connecting with Angel Flight NE, Larissa has taken 14 flights to Boston for her treatments. And her journey isn’t over—we already have six more flights scheduled for February and March, ensuring she reaches her medical team safely and on time. Thanks to our incredible partnership with Cape Air, Larissa can fly from Saranac Lake, NY, to Boston, eliminating the need for long and stressful drives. She shared the following when reflecting on the impact Angel Flight NE has had on her healthcare journey:

We could not do this without Angel Flight NE. It just would not be possible. We could not afford it. I have a great team at Dana Farber and because of their state-of-the-art research they have figured out that I am at very high risk for 3 other cancers that I do not have as of yet. Now, I will be screened regularly using the best health technology. My rural home hospital would have been able to give me the chemo but they could not have done the genetics testing. I am so grateful that you’ve helped us. It’s quite potentially given me more years of life to live. That’s huge. The oncology team just changed my colon cancer reoccurrence probability from 50/50 no-reoccurence/reoccurrence to 80/20. 80% chance it will not reoccur. This is quite an oncology journey. In July, I could never have imagined that this is what I’d be doing this year. Your team has made this so much easier, smoother, less stressful, and pleasant. And, when a chemo patient uses the word, “pleasant” you gotta know you’ve really made an impact. You’re really making such a positive contribution to humanity.

Breaking Barriers to Medical Care

Angel Flight NE’s mission is to remove transportation as an obstacle for patients facing serious medical conditions. Cancer treatment requires consistency, and by providing free flights, we help patients like Larissa focus on what matters most—their health and recovery.

Our volunteer pilots, airline partners, and generous donors make it possible for individuals and families to receive the best possible care without financial or logistical burdens. Whether through flights with our dedicated volunteer pilots or support from our corporate sponsors, each journey represents more than just travel—it represents hope, healing, and the power of a compassionate community.

Join Us in Making a Difference

Larissa’s journey is a testament to the impact Angel Flight NE has on patients battling cancer and other life-threatening conditions. By providing free flights to medical care, we are breaking barriers and giving patients a fighting chance.