FARMINGDALE, N.Y., (Mar. 04, 2020) – The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation has awarded a $110,000 grant to Patient AirLift Services (PALS) to double the number of free medical, compassionate, and humanitarian missions PALS flies for critically ill and underserved New Yorkers in need of care.
Msgr. Gregory Mustaciuolo, Chief Executive Officer of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, remarked, “Mother Cabrini spent her life devoted to those who faced the greatest struggles, and the Foundation named in her honor is proudly carrying on her legacy. From supporting pediatric cardiac care units in children’s hospitals to expanding mental health services to enhancing immigrants’ access to services, our inaugural grants are already making a difference in communities across New York State.”
PALS provides free medical flights for critically ill children and adults who cannot afford commercial air travel to their out-of-town healthcare destinations, or are physically unable to fly commercially. PALS began the groundwork for this project in 2019 by establishing relationships and conducting outreach in rural, low income counties of New York. These rural areas lack specialized medical facilities to meet the needs of many patients. As a result, patients often have to travel significant distances to receive proper care.
In March 2019, PALS began an outreach effort in one such area, Clinton County, meeting with medical personnel, social workers, patient advocates and community leaders over several days. Currently PALS continues to identify need in new and existing markets throughout New York State. In response to the the profound need, PALS is proud to announce that this project will allow PALS to fly an additional 342 missions, for a total of 684 missions flown in 2020.
Donna Collins, PALS Executive Director commented, “We sincerely appreciative for this grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. The need for air transportation to and from medical facilities is vast throughout New York State, and this funding allows us to increase our reach. PALS goes above and beyond to lift people up, treating every passenger on every flight with dignity and compassion.”
PALS believes the best possible care should be accessible to everyone, no matter how far it is from home. That’s why since 2010 we have provided more than 22,000 free flights for patients battling illnesses, veterans in need of supportive services, and victims of natural disasters.
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ABOUT PATIENT AIRLIFT SERVICES: Patient AirLift Services (PALS) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, NY. As a charitable aviation organization with over 22,000 passenger flights flown since inception in 2010, PALS arranges free air transportation for individuals requiring out-of-town or out-of-state medical treatment who cannot afford or are unable to fly commercially; for compassionate assistance; and for humanitarian purposes. Through its extensive network of aviation assets (including volunteer pilots, commercial airlines, and corporate partners), PALS serves disadvantaged individuals throughout the eastern United States. For more information, visit www.PALSflight.org or call 631-694-PALS (7257).
