For fifteen years, PALS SkyHope has been a beacon of hope for those in need, bridging the gap between patients and life-saving medical care through the generosity of volunteer pilots. Since its inception, PALS SkyHope has soared to new heights, completing over 34,000 flights and serving thousands of families facing serious medical challenges. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we reflect on the remarkable journeys, the selfless dedication of our pilots, and the lives transformed through the power of aviation.
The Birth of a Mission
Fifteen years ago, a group of pilots recognized an urgent need: patients across the country struggled to reach specialized medical treatment due to financial constraints and geographic barriers. These pilots understood that their love of flying could serve a greater purpose, and thus, PALS SkyHope was born. What started as a small initiative has now blossomed into nearly a nationwide network of compassionate aviators committed to making a difference.
From the beginning, the mission was simple yet profound—ensure that distance is never a barrier to medical care. PALS SkyHope has since expanded its services beyond patient transport, providing flights for veterans, disaster relief efforts, and humanitarian missions. This spirit of giving has defined the organization and continues to drive its growth and success.
Theresa's Journey: A Veteran's Path to Independence
During her service in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Theresa sustained severe injuries, including orthopedic trauma, traumatic brain injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Seeking to regain her independence, she applied for a mobility service dog from America's VetDogs, a Smithtown-based nonprofit that provides service dogs to veterans and first responders with disabilities. Theresa was matched with Oscar, a service dog specifically trained to assist her with daily mobility tasks such as walking, negotiating stairs, retrieving items, and providing positional cues to alert her if someone is approaching from behind. Oscar also offers comfort during loud noises like thunder.
Days before her scheduled flight to New York to meet Oscar, Theresa's plans were jeopardized when Ohio, her home state, was added to New York's quarantine list, requiring a 14-day isolation period. Unable to accommodate the quarantine, Theresa faced the prospect of losing her opportunity to receive Oscar, as the service dog would be assigned to the next veteran on the list. Recognizing the urgency, PALS SkyHope intervened, arranging a flight that allowed Theresa to meet Oscar without the need for quarantine. Reflecting on the experience, Theresa stated, “Being united with my service dog is paramount in gaining independence both at home and in the community.”
Liam's Story: Defying the Odds Against Cancer
At 12-years old, Liam's life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma after experiencing persistent leg pain. Seeking specialized treatment, his family chose Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York, the only facility in the U.S. offering bone regrowth treatment. This decision necessitated frequent travel from their home in central Virginia to Manhattan for two years.
The long drives exacerbated Liam's discomfort, making travel challenging. PALS SkyHope alleviated this burden by providing flights, significantly reducing travel time and discomfort. Liam noted, “Driving made me really sore. My hip would hurt, my knee would hurt. Once we got PALS flights, not only was it distracting to be on a plane, it was so much faster.”
When Liam's cancer progressed to the point where amputation seemed imminent, a new immunotherapy offered hope. This treatment required thrice-weekly visits to New York, a logistical challenge met by PALS SkyHope. Liam's mother, Michelle, expressed her gratitude, saying, “Liam is here because of this and certainly walking because of [PALS SkyHope]. For some other mom to know that her kid has a chance at this because they can actually get back and forth, that's huge.”
Inspired by his experiences, Liam aspires to become a pilot, aiming to help others as PALS SkyHope helped him.
The Heart of PALS SkyHope: Volunteer Pilots
PALS SkyHope pilots are volunteer aviators who dedicate their time, aircraft, and resources to flying patients and their families to medical care, transporting veterans to support programs, and assisting others in need of critical transportation.
PALS SkyHope pilots often develop strong bonds with the patients they fly, as they become a consistent source of support in their journey to treatment. Many pilots fly the same passengers repeatedly over the years, forming meaningful connections. One such example is Mark Hanson, who has been flying a longtime PALS SkyHope passenger Piper, since she was a newborn. Now eight-years old, she has completed 38 flights with PALS SkyHope to receive treatment for a rare cardiovascular disease. These relationships showcase the heart of PALS SkyHope’s mission—not just providing transportation but offering compassion and care along the way.
PALS SkyHope pilots are the backbone of the organization's mission, giving their time and resources to help those in need. In recognition of their dedication, pilots are honored annually at PALS SkyHope galas for their outstanding contributions. Their efforts are also celebrated through social media, newsletters, and other communications to highlight the profound impact they have on the lives of those they serve. PALS SkyHope is proud to recognize and support the pilots who make these life-changing flights possible.
Transforming Lives, One Flight at a Time
PALS SkyHope plays a critical role in removing social determinants of health by providing vital air transportation to individuals who face barriers to accessing medical care. Social determinants of health—such as transportation, income, and access to healthcare—significantly affect a person’s well-being and the ability to receive necessary treatments. By addressing these barriers, PALS SkyHope ensures that patients, especially those with chronic or life-threatening conditions, are not restricted in their ability to access specialized care.
Transportation is one of the most significant social determinants that many patients struggle with, especially those in rural or underserved areas and those with lower incomes. For individuals who need to travel long distances to receive treatment, the physical toll of driving long hours or the inability to afford commercial flights can prevent them from receiving timely care. PALS SkyHope alleviates this challenge by offering free, charitable flights, ensuring that patients can get to hospitals and medical centers without the added stress and financial strain. By removing the need for expensive travel options, PALS SkyHope removes a significant barrier to healthcare access, allowing patients to prioritize their health rather than worrying about logistics or costs to focus on their health and recovery without being held back by financial limitations.
Access to healthcare facilities is often limited in remote or rural areas. People in these locations frequently find themselves needing to travel to urban centers for specialized treatments. By providing air transportation, PALS SkyHope effectively bridges this gap, bringing patients from areas with limited access to advanced medical care to those facilities where they can receive the treatment they need. This not only increases access to essential services but also ensures that patients are not left behind because of geographical location. Furthermore, connecting patients to necessary care through air transportation enhances their overall health outcomes. When patients can receive treatment promptly, they are more likely to recover successfully. For those requiring frequent visits, such as for cancer treatment or specialized surgeries, having reliable, free transportation ensures that their treatment schedule is uninterrupted, helping to avoid setbacks and improving their long-term health prospects.
Offering these services at no cost, PALS SkyHope strengthens the social safety net and fosters an equitable healthcare environment. Access to healthcare should not be a privilege reserved for those with resources; it should be a universal right. PALS SkyHope helps level the playing field, ensuring that patients from all walks of life can get the care they need. This makes a significant impact on the overall health of communities by improving health outcomes and promoting wellness, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Finally, PALS SkyHope’s work helps build social capital in the communities it serves. By partnering with pilots, volunteers, and donors, the organization fosters a sense of unity and collective responsibility. People from all backgrounds come together to ensure that patients receive the care they deserve, breaking down barriers not just in healthcare access but in social division. This communal effort strengthens communities and helps create a more equitable and inclusive healthcare landscape, where everyone has a chance at optimal health. Through these efforts, PALS SkyHope removes many of the social determinants of health that disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, helping to create a more equitable and healthier society for all.
Expanding Horizons: PALS SkyHope’s Growth and Achievements
PALS SkyHope has experienced tremendous growth, thanks to its strategic partnerships with foundations, major donors, and airline partners. These collaborations have been essential in expanding the organization’s reach and increasing its impact. PALS SkyHope’s robust grant-writing program plays a key role in filling funding gaps, helping to ensure the organization's sustainability and positioning it for rapid scalability.
The success of PALS SkyHope is also evident in its vibrant community of supporters, whose contributions directly support life-changing missions. The organization is participating in several high-profile marathons, including the NYC, Tokyo, and Marine Corps Marathons, to further engage with its community and raise funds.
Looking ahead, PALS SkyHope remains focused on broadening its reach to even more communities in need, with a continued emphasis on expanding services and recruiting new pilots. This growth will ensure that PALS SkyHope can maintain its commitment to providing critical transportation for patients and their families, while enhancing its capacity to respond to emerging needs in healthcare and humanitarian relief.
Looking Ahead: The Future of PALS SkyHope
As PALS SkyHope celebrates its 15-year milestone, the organization reflects on a decade and a half of unwavering commitment to those in need of free medical, humanitarian, and veteran flights. Since its founding, PALS SkyHope has flown thousands of missions, easing the burden for families facing serious illness, veterans seeking medical care, and those impacted by disasters. Now, the focus shifts to the future—ensuring that even more people receive the life-changing transportation they deserve.
PALS SkyHope Goals
- Recruiting More Volunteer Pilots – Volunteer pilots are the heart of PALS SkyHope. As demand for flights grows, so does the need for dedicated aviators willing to donate their time, skills, and aircraft. The organization is committed to increasing pilot outreach efforts, engaging with aviation communities, and fostering mentorship programs to encourage more pilots to take to the skies for a cause.
- Increasing Flight Capacity – No patient should ever be turned away due to a lack of available flights. PALS SkyHope aims to expand its flight capacity by not only growing its pilot network but also through strengthening relationships with airline partners, corporate sponsors, and donors who can help fund mission-critical operations.
- Strengthening Partnerships – Collaboration is key to reaching more patients. PALS SkyHope is actively working to build and enhance partnerships with hospitals, medical centers, social workers, and nonprofit organizations that serve critically ill patients, veterans, and those in need of disaster relief. By strengthening these connections, the organization ensures that more people become aware of and gain access to free air transportation.
- Raising Awareness About Public-Benefit Flying – The impact of public-benefit flying is profound, yet many people—both in the aviation world and beyond—are unaware of the difference it can make or that it even exists. PALS SkyHope is dedicated to educating the public, engaging with the next generation of pilots, and sharing powerful stories that highlight the impact of its work. Through media outreach, digital storytelling, and community engagement, the organization aims to inspire more people to support and participate in this mission.
A Milestone Celebration
A major highlight of the 15th anniversary celebration will be PALS SkyHope’s ‘Soaring Together’ Long Island Gala on May 8, 2025, at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. This special evening will bring together the pilots, supporters, and patients who have been instrumental in shaping the organization’s journey. Guests will hear inspiring stories, celebrate the achievements of volunteer pilots, and contribute to the future of PALS SkyHope. The gala will serve as both a moment of reflection on past successes and a launching point for the next chapter—one filled with even greater impact, innovation, and hope.
As PALS SkyHope looks to the future, one thing remains clear: the mission is soaring higher than ever. With the support of pilots, donors, and partners, the organization is ready to take on new challenges, expand its reach, and ensure that every patient who needs a flight gets one.
Join the Mission
PALS SkyHope’s 15-year journey has been one of compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment to helping others. But the mission is far from over. Whether you’re a pilot looking to lend your wings, a donor eager to make a difference, or a supporter ready to spread the word, there’s a place for everyone in this incredible movement.
As we look to the skies and the future ahead, we are reminded that hope has no boundaries. PALS SkyHope will continue to soar, ensuring that every patient who needs a flight will always have a way to reach the care they deserve.
Learn more at www.skyhope.org
How You Can Join the Mission
To become a PALS SkyHope pilot, individuals must meet specific flight experience requirements and provide necessary documentation, including a pilot’s license, medical certificate, and insurance. Once selected, they will go through an orientation with PALS SkyHope’s pilot-relationship manager to familiarize themselves with the organization’s mission, procedures, and expectations. Once approved, they can begin selecting flights that align with their schedule, aircraft type, and preferred routes.
How it Works
After accepting a mission, pilots work closely with PALS SkyHope mission coordinators to arrange logistics, ensuring they pick up patients at an airport that works best for both pilot and passenger.
On the day of the flight, the pilot meets the patient and any accompanying companions at the designated airport then provides a free, safe, and comfortable flight to the airport closest to their treatment center. PALS SkyHope also covers the cost of ground transportation to and from the airport ensuring a seamless journey for the patient, alleviating financial and logistical barriers in accessing medical care. After landing, the pilot will submit a brief post-flight report and can choose to accept additional missions based on availability.
