FARMINGDALE, N.Y., (Oct. 21, 2022) – The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation has awarded a $120,000 grant to PALS SkyHope which will provide 323 free medical, compassionate, and humanitarian flights for critically ill and underserved New Yorkers in need of care.
PALS SkyHope 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 SkyHope 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.
“As we begin to recover from a pandemic that has hit vulnerable populations the hardest, we must continue to address the challenges communities across New York State are facing: food and housing insecurity; lack of access to basic healthcare including vaccines; workforce issues; and educational, racial, economic, and health disparities made worse during COVID-19. We must continue to support the full range of services that make for healthy people and communities,” said Msgr. Gregory Mustaciuolo, Chief Executive Officer of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.”
Donna Collins, PALS SkyHope Executive Director commented, “We sincerely appreciate 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 SkyHope goes above and beyond to lift people up, treating every passenger on every flight with dignity and compassion.”
PALS SkyHope 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 27,000 free flights for patients battling illnesses, veterans in need of supportive services, and victims of natural disasters.
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ABOUT PALS SKYHOPE: PALS SkyHope is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, NY. As a charitable aviation organization with over 27,000 passenger flights flown since inception in 2010, PALS SkyHope 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 SkyHope.org or call 631-694-PALS (7257).
ABOUT MOTHER CABRINI HEALTH FOUNDATION: The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State that either provide direct healthcare services or address the social determinants of health. For more information, visit https://www.cabrinihealth.org/