For many kids, summertime means packing up for a long-awaited trip to camp — a place where they reunite with old friends, make new ones, and create memories that last a lifetime. But for many children, the camp they need most isn’t just down the road. It’s hundreds or even thousands of miles away.
Angel Flight West’s (AFW) volunteer pilots provide hundreds of flights each year, giving young burn survivors and children with life-threatening or life-altering illnesses free transportation to specialized recreational camps across the western United States. These flights help ensure children can participate in programs that support healing, recovery, and personal growth, regardless of their families’ financial or geographic circumstances.
One of those volunteer pilots is Andy Coy of San Diego. Andy grew up surrounded by general aviation. His uncle served in the Air Force before becoming a pilot for Delta Air Lines, while his father was a general aviation pilot who also founded his own radiology practice, giving Andy an early appreciation for both aviation and healthcare.
Decades later, when his own son left for college seven hours away in San Luis Obispo, Andy finally decided to pursue his pilot’s license in 2020. Today, he has logged more than 1,100 flight hours, with 38 flights as a Command Pilot with AFW, helping transport patients and families in need, transporting blood, and flying campers and counselors to their special, summer getaways.
One of the organizations Andy supports through his volunteer flying with AFW is the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation (AARBF) in Fresno, California. For more than 30 years, Angel Flight West has helped young burn survivors travel to AARBF’s Champ Camp, giving campers the opportunity to build friendships, confidence, and lasting memories.
“It’s one thing to have your physical needs cared for in the hospital, but it’s another to care for your soul and mental health journey after something as life-changing as a burn injury,” says AARBF Camps and Recreation Manager Erika Mendoza. “Because of AFW and the partnership we’ve had for many, many years, our camp kids don’t just get to see their favorite people once a year—they get to see them multiple times.”
One of the young campers Andy has had the privilege of flying is now 16-year-old Susy. She has traveled to Champ Camp since 2019, receiving a total of 18 flights, with her most recent journey home piloted by Andy.
Susy’s mother, Vivana, reflects on the impact those flights have had on her daughter’s life: “As a burn survivor, Susy has walked a path that requires courage every single day. The trips didn’t just take her to camp; they lifted her confidence, her independence, and her sense of possibility. Because of Angel Flight West, she was able to experience unforgettable adventures, learn new skills, and feel empowered in ways that truly matter.”
As for Andy? He’s committed to using his passion for flying to make a real difference in the lives of his young passengers. “Camp flights are especially important to me,” he says. “Those kids have been through tough experiences, and I love seeing the camaraderie between the campers and counselors — laughing together, supporting one another, and being part of the group.”
This camp season, your support can help make those life-changing flights possible. You’ll help ensure more campers can experience the joy, connection, and healing that camp provides — starting with the journey that makes it possible. Visit https://tinyurl.com/afwcamp2026 to give today.
About Angel Flight West
Angel Flight West coordinates free non-emergency air travel for children and adults with serious medical conditions and other compelling needs. Through a network of volunteer pilots and commercial airline partners, Angel Flight West helps patients access life-saving medical care and other essential services across the western United States.
To learn more about requesting a flight as a patient, family member, or healthcare professional, visit angelflightwest.org.
To become a volunteer pilot, visit http://angelflightwest.org/pilot-page.
