Lifesaving Surgery for Cancer Patient

September 2, 2021

Diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer

Vanessa is a single parent who lives near Phoenix, Arizona. She works for a school 9 months out of the year - a job she that says, “doesn’t pay much.” Even with a low-paying job, she is generally able to cover basic living expenses and support her children.  

But whatever financial security she had didn’t last long. School had just let out for the summer, and Vanessa was already worrying about how she’d cover expenses. This worry was compounded when she went to the doctor. The doctor told her she had Stage 4 deeply infiltrating endometriosis.  

Few Options Left

Deeply infiltrating endometriosis is a rare form of endometriosis that starts growing deep within the tissue. It often goes undetected until it is severe and starts spreading to other areas. "It spread to my pelvic region, my intestines, and my ureter,” said Vanessa. “It just kept progressing.” 


On top of this, another problem arose. Deeply infiltrating endometriosis doesn’t always go away with medications. One of the few options Vanessa had left was surgery. She had already had two operations, neither of which were fully successful. 


“I needed to fly from Phoenix to Atlanta,” said Vanessa, “because this was going to be my third surgery.” She added, “It’s risky and I needed to see a doctor who has the knowledge to remove it completely.” Unfortunately, a long-distance, round-trip flight was a problem Vanessa didn’t have the resources to solve. How was she going to access the lifesaving surgery? 


Blessed by Angels

When patients are losing hope, sometimes angels deliver an answer to their prayers. In this case, it was Mercy Medical Angels! The nonprofit worked together with Delta Airlines and the American Cancer Society to pay for airline tickets and arrange travel. 


“Delta Airlines was fantastic,” said Vanessa. “I was able to get to medical care and fly back home with no hassle.” 


Now, Vanessa is out of surgery. Her quality of life continues to improve, plus she was able to maintain financial stability. When asked about how Mercy Medical Angels helped her, Vanessa’s gratitude spills over. “I couldn’t have gotten the care I needed if I didn’t have this help. I feel so blessed that I was able to find Mercy Medical Angels!” 

 

 


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.