Flight Assistance for Pancreatic Cancer Patient Saves His Life
Diagnosed With Pancreatic Cancer
Seven years ago, Johnnie was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. Because of the disease, he had to quit his job and apply for disability benefits. After two years, he had to apply for Medicare as well.
Johnnie couldn’t find adequate treatment in his home state of Alabama. Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Illinois offered him flight assistance so he could receive radiation and chemo.
Tangled in Red Tape
“This is where things got all messed up,” said Johnnie. A representative from Medicare told him that the cancer center couldn’t help with transportation anymore.
“And just like that, my transportation to treatment ended.”
Flight Assistance to the Rescue
Luckily for Johnnie, he found out about Mercy Medical Angels. Mercy Medical Angels provided flight assistance so he could go to the treatments he needed.
“In my mind,” said Johnnie, “they are nothing short of a godsend!”
Staying on the Safe Side
As of 2015, Johnnie is in remission. “My cancer mysteriously vanished,” he said, “much to the amazement of my medical team.”
However, the team at Cancer Treatment Centers of America wanted to stay on the safe side. They required Johnnie to go back once a year for scans and blood tests. This was to make sure the cancer would not return; if it did, they could stop it early.
Mercy Medical Angels has continued to provide flight assistance to checkups for more than four years. “Every time I have contacted them, they have been very professional and caring.”
"You Have Been My Angels!"
Johnnie dyes his beard purple, the color for pancreatic cancer awareness. He says, “It’s a great conversation starter so I can share with folks my journey.” It’s a journey that Mercy Medical Angels made possible with flight assistance.
“If it weren’t for the flight assistance from Mercy Medical Angels, I am not sure what I would have done. From the bottom of my heart, I thank each and every one of you."
"You have been my angels!”
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