Charitable Flights Enable Cancer Patient to Access Critical Care
Battling Cancer Twice
To say that Yvette can’t catch a break would be an understatement. Yvette is a single mother. She lives in an area where it’s difficult to access specialized medical care. And in 2011, she needed exactly that.
“I was diagnosed with Stage 2B Invasive Ductal Carcinoma,” said Yvette. She went through multiple rounds of chemo and radiation. The aggressive treatment managed to get rid of the cancer.
Just when she thought she was safe from another battle, breast cancer launched a surprise attack. And this time, it didn’t stop where it started the last time. Doctors found it at Stage 4. It rapidly metastasized to her bones.
Promising Options
"The second time came with a grim prognosis,” said Yvette. Rather than resigning herself to a fate she likely couldn’t escape, she threw herself into researching options.
MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas would give Yvette the best chances. With help from a dedicated oncology team, she couldn’t just survive. She could thrive.
Financial Struggles
Yvette had worked hard to save money. But the cancer forced her to retire, and the ensuing medical bills erased her savings. “I’m now on disability,” said Yvette, “making less than one-third of what I made as a teacher.”
Barriers of Distance...
MD Anderson Cancer Center was 850 miles away by air. A round-trip commercial airline ticket was out of the question with her limited income.
But driving wasn’t an option either. It would take her 15 hours, assuming she didn’t stop on the way. Her car couldn’t take such a long journey without difficulties along the way – and neither could she.
How would Yvette access the care she critically needed?
...Overcome by Persistence
That was when Yvette found out about Mercy Medical Angels. Mercy Medical Angels arranged charitable flights on Southwest Airlines, paid for by The Hogan Foundation.
Yvette needed flights every four months for various checks. Previously, this would have been impossible. But now, it was possible.
“Mercy Medical Angels is a godsend,” said Yvette.
"They're Helping Me So Much..."
Fast forward twelve years. Yvette’s spirit has endured in her battle against cancer, and she’s not giving up anytime soon. “The specialists at MD Anderson gave me twelve years so far,” said Yvette, “and I’m prepared for more.”
Yvette knows her struggles aren’t over yet. But she trusts that Mercy Medical Angels, Southwest Airlines, and The Hogan Foundation will continue to help. With this amount of support, she firmly believes her life and health will continue to improve.
“I appreciate everyone at Mercy Medical Angels - they’re helping me so much in my fight to live!”
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