Liam started to feel pain in his leg and didn’t think anything of it as an active kid who has been through injuries before. However, days went by and he couldn’t stop limping. After a while the family knew something was different. They decided to get an X-ray done and found cancer that was eating away at the bone. Liam was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, he was only 12 years old at the time.
After searching through online support groups, Liam’s mom, Michelle knew that they needed to get to a sarcoma center. They chose Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York, the only place in the U.S. that offers treatment to regrow bone. It became a necessity for Liam to travel to Manhattan from their home in central Virginia to receive treatment and surgeries weekly for two years.
PALS SkyHope was just what they needed to relieve the burden of a long drive.
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.
–Liam
After two years, Liam’s cancer progressed to a point where he was told his leg needed to be amputated. On the day Liam was scheduled for the amputation, the surgery was called off. Liam’s leg could be saved if he was able to get to New York three times a week for a new immunotherapy. PALS SkyHope made that happen.
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.
– Michelle, Liam’s Mom
Becoming a pilot is Liam’s dream. His love for flying was sparked by his time spent on PALS flights and conversing with his pilots. He’s looking to start flight lessons as soon as possible so he can help other people like PALS helped him.
PALS is amazing. Everything is about making it easier for us. They do this absolutely free and come to the airport that’s closest to us.
– Michelle, Liam’s Mom
Patient AirLift Services is a nonprofit that arranges free flights for medical patients requiring medical diagnosis, treatment or follow-up who cannot afford or are unable to fly commercially.
Although the pilots and the use of their plane are on a volunteer basis, mission coordination, patient outreach and other related costs are not. Your donation helps continue our mission and connect patients with the free medical flights they need to obtain critical care.
PALS also arranges volunteer flights for family members of patients as compassionate missions, to ensure patients have support when they are away from home for long periods. PALS is proud to assist military personnel and their families with free flights to aid in the recovery and rehabilitation processes for our wounded veterans.
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