2008 Woodie Awards
Student starts non-profit organization
Chris Hipner
Issue date: 4/21/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Not all students are focused solely on their career. Embry-Riddle senior Jerry Phan recently started a non-profit organization called Flight Hope. The organization provides free air transportation from Prescott to cancer treatment centers across Arizona.
In the past, patients were responsible for getting themselves to the treatment centers. These treatment centers are found in Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson. After receiving treatment, patients are often not well enough to make the drive back, requiring them to check into a hotel for up to two weeks. While insurance will pay for treatment, they will not provide transportation or cover the cost of stay at these hotels. "It's a big problem," said Jerry. "The financial burden is heavy."
The organization is based out of Prescott because of its distant location from treatment centers. There are currently three pilots: Jerry, Eric Yost, and Susan Mungeon. All three are students at Embry-Riddle. Jerry is looking to take on more pilots, but not ones looking to log some free flight time. "Most of the time, when people volunteer, the first thing they say is 'so this counts for hours, right?' I just hang up the phone on them" Jerry says.
When arriving at the receiving airport, they are not only given priority to land but also a complimentary car to transport both pilot and patient to the hospital. At the hospital, staff members provide a spare room so the pilot can study in peace. After the treatment, which can take hours, the two are off again, back to Prescott.
They are not paid, or at least not in the regular fashion. "We don't get paid or anything, but the first patient I flew did bake me a cherry pie," Jerry said. The organization is able to pay for plane time and fuel solely from donations. Jerry's spread the word back home, with most of the donations coming from California. He also has been in contact with some potential donors in Washington, D.C., and things look promising. He has even received some donations from far-flung places such as Australia and Uganda. It is surprising that this was put together only two months ago.
Jerry is a senior, and is graduating this semester. He transferred from Loyola Marymount in the fall of 2004. Jerry said his credo is, "One of the best things in life is to help someone, knowing that they can never pay you back."
In the past, patients were responsible for getting themselves to the treatment centers. These treatment centers are found in Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson. After receiving treatment, patients are often not well enough to make the drive back, requiring them to check into a hotel for up to two weeks. While insurance will pay for treatment, they will not provide transportation or cover the cost of stay at these hotels. "It's a big problem," said Jerry. "The financial burden is heavy."
The organization is based out of Prescott because of its distant location from treatment centers. There are currently three pilots: Jerry, Eric Yost, and Susan Mungeon. All three are students at Embry-Riddle. Jerry is looking to take on more pilots, but not ones looking to log some free flight time. "Most of the time, when people volunteer, the first thing they say is 'so this counts for hours, right?' I just hang up the phone on them" Jerry says.
When arriving at the receiving airport, they are not only given priority to land but also a complimentary car to transport both pilot and patient to the hospital. At the hospital, staff members provide a spare room so the pilot can study in peace. After the treatment, which can take hours, the two are off again, back to Prescott.
They are not paid, or at least not in the regular fashion. "We don't get paid or anything, but the first patient I flew did bake me a cherry pie," Jerry said. The organization is able to pay for plane time and fuel solely from donations. Jerry's spread the word back home, with most of the donations coming from California. He also has been in contact with some potential donors in Washington, D.C., and things look promising. He has even received some donations from far-flung places such as Australia and Uganda. It is surprising that this was put together only two months ago.
Jerry is a senior, and is graduating this semester. He transferred from Loyola Marymount in the fall of 2004. Jerry said his credo is, "One of the best things in life is to help someone, knowing that they can never pay you back."
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