Benefit Raises $435K for Corporate Angel Network

The National Business Aviation Association/Corporate Angel Network Fund an Angel charity event during NBAA 's recent annual convention raised $435,000 for CAN’s mission to transport cancer patients to treatment centers. This year, organizers shortened the format of the fundraiser to allow guests to network and support CAN’s lifesaving mission before heading to dinner.

“We’re so grateful to the [members of the] business aviation community for their generosity and their enthusiastic support for CAN’s mission of providing transportation to cancer care centers,” said the charity's executive director, Gina Russo. “Every CAN flight depends on volunteers and donors, and every flight touches the life of a patient. The financial support of NBAA members at this annual event makes these flights possible.”

As in years past, the event had both live and silent auctions. The live auction started with a bidding war for the Textron Stampede off-road vehicle; it was valued at $27,670, but fetched $100,000. Textron agreed to provide a second Stampede for the second-place bidder, who matched the $100,000 bid.

Other items auctioned included a two-day pilot upset recovery course from Flight Research; trips to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Zihuatanejo in Mexico; airline miles from American and Hawaiian airlines; and a VIP trip for four to the American Music Awards.

In September, CAN made its 54,000th flight serving a cancer patient; in December, the organization will celebrate its 36th year in operation.