The Vital Role of Aviation in Supporting Cancer Patients

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare accessibility, it is heartening to witness innovative collaborations that bridge the gap between corporate resources and the urgent needs of cancer patients.

Corporate Angel Network (CAN) – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides cancer patients with free air transportation to their treatment centers -- presents a golden opportunity for corporate flight departments and airlines to make a significant difference in patients' lives.

While many remarkable organizations assist patients across the United States, CAN stands out as the sole nonprofit dedicated to partnering directly with corporate flight departments for cancer patient support. With access to larger, faster, long-range aircraft, CAN enables patients to fly greater distances in fewer legs, thereby ensuring they receive timely treatment.

Earlier this year, CAN completed its 70,000th cancer patient flight. While this milestone is meaningful, the organization is only able to assist in about half of the patients’ requests. To help bridge that gap, CAN also provides commercial airline vouchers so patients don’t miss the critical care they urgently need.

CAN’s corporate aircraft requirements are quite accommodating. Pressurized turbofan and turboprop aircraft operated by two appropriately rated pilots are fully eligible to participate. This opens the door for numerous corporate partners and airlines to engage in this crucial service.

Participation with CAN is entirely voluntary. Even a single flight – one act of kindness and support – can transform a patient's life, making it easy for corporations to contribute positively at their convenience.

While many corporate CAN missions take advantage of empty leg flights, most patients travel on scheduled business trips, allowing them to fly alongside company executives. While empty legs are appreciated, they are not the cornerstone of CAN’s operati

CAN takes confidentiality very seriously. Risk of exposure can be a genuine concern for many companies operating business jets. CAN does not share flight details publicly and requires patients to maintain discretion on their travels. This ensures that corporate partners can participate in confidence, knowing their brand and operations remain protected unless they explicitly agree to go public.

Partnering with CAN is easy and straightforward. The organization leverages automated tools like BART and PFM to minimize workload for flight departments.  For companies that prefer not to share flight schedules, CAN provides a weekly “Seats Needed” list highlighting unfulfilled patient requests, allowing partners to choose the flights that best fit their availability. This enables partners to participate effortlessly.

CAN does not expect partners to fulfill every patient request. It is understood that businesses operate under various constraints and CAN emphasizes that it is entirely acceptable to decline a request if it doesn’t fit within the corporation’s operational parameters. The collaboration is flexible, allowing companies to participate without added pressure.

In the dynamic world of business travel, schedule changes are commonplace. CAN typically starts matching flights within a window of 7-10 days, accommodating the fluid nature of travel plans. Patients are asked to maintain backup travel arrangements until their flight with CAN is confirmed.

Importantly, CAN asks that patients be respectful of executives and crew on board, who are often using flight time to focus on work. As guests on the aircraft, patients are expected to follow Patient Guidelines, which clearly outline conduct expectations to ensure a positive experience for everyone.

Typical of how patients express appreciation is Amy, a young mom of three, who was traveling from Atlanta to Houston every week for six weeks for treatment. On one of those trips, she needed to undergo major surgery. “I couldn’t imagine navigating the huge Atlanta airport after my surgery. Without CAN, I wouldn’t have been able to get the procedure I needed with the doctor I needed to see,” she said.

By collaborating with CAN, companies can play a vital role in alleviating the struggles of cancer patients while enriching their corporate social responsibility efforts.

Embracing the power of flight can lead to transformative journeys for those who are going through the worst times of their lives. Partnering with organizations like Corporate Angel Network changes lives and highlights the incredible potential of aviation in the fight against cancer.

Robert Stangarone is the president and CEO of Corporate Angel Network