At Angel Flight NE, we are committed to ensuring that rare disease patients and Lyme disease patients can access the life-saving medical care they need—no matter how far they must travel. Today, we are honored to share the inspiring story of the Pennison family from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

A Family United in the Fight Against Chronic Lyme Disease

The Pennison family is no stranger to medical challenges. All eight children have been diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease, a complex and often debilitating condition that requires highly specialized care. Some of the children have been severely affected, leading their parents to seek out leading experts in Lyme disease treatment and research.

For many families battling rare and tick-borne diseases, traveling to the right specialists can be a logistical and financial burden. The Pennison family needed access to some of the top medical institutions including:

• Hubbuch Family Practice in Waltham, MA – Dr. Hubbuch is a specialist in environmental medicine and Lyme disease and a member of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine and the International Lyme Society.
• Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, NY – Dr. Delaney is a neuropsychiatrist specializing in Lyme disease research and co-investigator with Dr. Brian Fallon, a renowned expert studying the impact of Lyme disease on both children and adults.

These specialists provide critical treatments and research-backed care that could make a life-changing difference for the Pennison children. However, reaching them required repeated long-distance travel, which would have been nearly impossible without support.

Tammy P. shared the following when reflecting on the influence that Angel Flight NE has had on her family’s well-being:

“I want to thank you for all you did for us! We are about to board now our flight and are so grateful!!!! Can’t wait to see the rest of the kids. You made our trip easier! Bless you for being so wonderful!”

26 Flights of Hope & Healing – Thanks to Angel Flight NE

Since learning about Angel Flight NE, the Pennison family has received 26 free flights to Boston and New York, ensuring their children can continue receiving expert medical care. Through the generosity of our generous corporate sponsors JetBlue, and the Brian Goldner Center for Transforming Lives, the Pennison family has been able to overcome the barrier of distance and focus on their health.

The Power of Compassion and Community

The Pennison family’s journey is a powerful reminder of why Angel Flight NE’s mission is so critical. Lyme disease patients, rare disease patients, and families facing complex medical conditions should never have to worry about how they will reach the specialized care they need.

Because of your generosity, we can continue providing flights of hope and healing to patients across the country. Every donation, every volunteer pilot, and every partnership helps bridge the gap between medical challenges and life-saving treatment.

Join Us in Helping More Families Like the Pennison’s

As we continue to support rare disease and Lyme disease patients, we invite you to be part of our mission. Whether you donate, volunteer, or spread the word, you can make a difference for families facing unimaginable medical obstacles.

💙 Together, we are ensuring that distance is never a barrier to care.