Angel Flight Southeast Fundraiser Honors Volunteer Pilots, Keeps them in the Air, Saving Lives

LEESBURG, Fla. - Feb. 24, 2015 - PRLog -- When Carole Thompson of Key West has to go to her doctor’s appointments, it’s an ordeal. Thompson, who was diagnosed with a chronic pain condition that stemmed from a 2011 injury, must travel hundreds of miles to Tampa for specialized treatment.

However, an hours-long car ride is not feasible nor is the cost and discomfort associated with flying commercial. Thompson relies on Angel Flight Southeast (http://www.angelflightsoutheast.org/), a network of volunteer pilots who use their own airplanes, pay for the fuel and give up time in their day to help Thompson get to and from her bi-monthly appointments.

“Even though the travel itself causes the pain to escalate I have an enjoyable time and look forward to the day that I get to see some of my favorite people. No matter who the pilots are, they always make me smile and laugh,” said Thompson, whose flights with Angel Flight Southeast are free.

“Angel Flight Southeast relies on a network of more than 650 private pilots who volunteer their time and aircraft to help get a patient to his or her needed medical appointment,” said Steve Purello, CEO of Angel Flight Southeast. “Led by our team of ‘care traffic controllers,’ we are able to arrange for approximately 3,000 flights each year.”

Dr. Franklin Gray Norris dedicated himself to saving lives and shared a love of flying. A former US Air Force combat pilot, Dr. Norris became a noted thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon in Orlando while continuing his passion for flying.

Upon his passing, the Norris family created a foundation that now supports Angel Flight Southeast as the title sponsor of the Dr. Norris Memorial Pilot Awards Gala & Gold Classic, April 10 -11, 2015, at the Madison Green Golf, 2001 Crestwood Boulevard North, in West Palm Beach.

More than two dozen volunteer pilots from across the southeast will be honored for their dedication to Angel Flight Southeast. The nominees for the Pilot of the Year awards are vying for the organization’s highest award. Additional awards will be given to select pilots, including a “Rookie Pilot Award” for pilots who recently joined the organization, a “Transplant Award” for the pilot in the region who has flown the most number of transplant-related flights and “Above and Beyond” for pilots who contribute to fundraising efforts for the non-profit Angel Flight Southeast.

Angel Flight Southeast seeks sponsors and attendees for the Dr. Norris Pilot Awards Gala and Golf Classic. For information about the event or to learn more about Angel Flight Southeast, please call 352-326-0761 or visit http://www.angelflightse.org/events/

About Angel Flight Southeast

Angel Flight Southeast is a non-profit volunteer pilot organization that provides free air transportation to distant medical facilities when commercial air service is not available, impractical or simply not affordable. Angel Flight Southeast is a member of the Air Charity Network, an association of charitable aviation organizations comprised of more than 7,500 pilots and who represent over 90% of all charitable non-emergency flights flown in the nation. Angel Flight Southeast has won the seal of approval from Independent Charities of America recognizing Angel Flight Southeast as a good steward of the funds it generates from the public.