Child with Brain Aneurysm Accesses Care, Thanks to Free Gas Cards

October 11, 2024
Child with brain aneurysm and his mother after accessing care thanks to free gas cards

A Difficult Beginning

"When I was just nine weeks pregnant with Frank, his father suddenly passed away from an unknown brain aneurysm." Frank's mother recounts this tragedy with caution in her voice, as if speaking of the illness that took her husband will cause it to appear elsewhere.


No matter how many precautions she took, it still struck close to home. Her son Frank was just three years old when he started to get painful headaches. Frank was rushed to the emergency room for an MRI because of the family history. Not long after, it was discovered that Frank had the same problem his late father did.


From His Life on the Line...

For a while, Frank's aneurysm remained stable. His mother had to drive him from their home in Scranton, Pennsylvania to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). The medical professionals at CHOP provided scans and treatments so that Frank could maintain his quality of life - and increase his chances of surviving in case anything went wrong.


It was becoming difficult to afford gas on top of medical bills and everyday expenses. But if Frank couldn't get to CHOP, his life would be on the line. How would Frank access the care he so desperately needed?


...To Peace of Mind

That was when Frank's mother found out about Mercy Medical Angels' ground transportation program. The nonprofit sent her gas cards so she would be able to drive Frank to his scans and treatments at CHOP.


"This gives us peace of mind," said Frank's mother. "It gave us ease, knowing we didn't have to worry about the cost of fuel on top of everything else."


"We Are Very Grateful..."

Frank is now home for the time being. He'll need more specialized medical care in the future. But now, he and his mother can rest assured that they aren't walking alone on the road. Mercy Medical Angels' ground transportation program will be there to help them.


"We are very grateful to have your assistance for travel," said Frank's mother. "You're saving my son's life."

Share this story with others.

Share your thoughts about this story.

Read More Patient Stories

By Stephanie Singer July 27, 2025
She needed help flying to a clinical trial for patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Find out how Mercy Medical Angels got her there... in her own words.
By Stephanie Singer July 23, 2025
Read the story of how a single mother received gas cards to access life-changing surgery, helping her and her daughter to have a better life... in her own words.
By Stephanie Singer July 22, 2025
He needed heart surgery, but the best doctors to help him were in another state. Find out how Mercy Medical Angels' volunteer pilot program helped him get there.
By Stephanie Singer July 21, 2025
Read the story of a patient with a rare blood cancer and how he was able to access treatment, thanks to charitable flights... in his own words.
By Stephanie Singer July 19, 2025
A female Veteran needed to get equine-assisted therapy at Quantum Leap Farm, but had no way to get there. Find out how Mercy Medical Angels and Southwest helped her.
By Stephanie Singer July 18, 2025
Find out how a single mother with multiple rare conditions found the best care possible, thanks to charitable flight assistance... in her own words.
By Stephanie Singer July 17, 2025
She was diagnosed with breast cancer, and opted for holistic and alternative treatments. Find out how Mercy Medical Angels helped her receive the best possible care.
By Stephanie Singer July 10, 2025
A disabled Veteran attended a peer support program known as Warrior PATHH, thanks to charitable flight assistance... you can read his story here, in his own words.
By Stephanie Singer June 30, 2025
Read how a patient with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and other conditions accessed life-changing care out of state, thanks to charitable flights... in her own words.
By Stephanie Singer June 22, 2025
Read how a Stage IV cancer patient flew to the care she needed... in her own words.