COLORADO - At the Colorado Air and Space Port, angels with wings regularly come and go, part of a volunteer organization that helps save countless lives: Angel Flight. This past Friday afternoon, a plane touched down at the airport carrying precious cargo.

Seven-year-old Ichi and her mother, Mirna, had boarded the small plane early that morning from their home in a small Kansas town. Ichi, in remission from leukemia, was on her way to a regular check-up at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Throughout her three-and-a-half-year battle with the disease, Ichi has made the flight around 60 times, and the staff at the Colorado Air and Space Port have grown quite fond of her.

So have Angel Flight pilot Kosta Konstandin and his wife and mission assistant, Nancy. “It’s been a wonderful experience for us,” Kosta said. “We’re just a very small part of it, but the doctors in Kansas and at Children’s are like miracles to her.”

Angel Flight connects volunteer pilots who own their own planes with patients who need to travel for medical treatment but face transportation challenges. Kosta and Nancy have flown nearly 100 missions, all free of charge to the families.

When asked why he volunteers, Kosta replied, “There’s a big need. The Ichis and Herreras are just one of many families that need help, and we’ve flown a lot of people.”

For Mirna Herrera, the Angel Flight volunteers are a blessing. The closest facility equipped to treat Ichi is a five-hour drive to Denver. “Nancy and Kosta are my angels,” Herrera expressed. “Their kindness and warm hearts show me the face of God through wonderful people in such a terrible situation.”

Kosta and Nancy have lifted a significant burden from her shoulders. “We’ve had many flights,” Herrera said with a smile, “and every time we go to sleep after a flight, it’s just so peaceful.”

Together, they’ve shared the highs and lows of Ichi’s journey. The Konstandins even celebrated with the family a year ago when Ichi rang the bell signifying the end of her treatment. “That was huge,” Kosta recalled with emotion. “It was a relief for me too, knowing she was done with her treatment.”

Whatever the future holds, they will face it together. “He always checks on Ichi to see how she’s doing,” Herrera said of Kosta, “and Nancy too. We’ve been through a lot of good and bad, but mostly good.”

Every year, Angel Flight hosts a “Runway 5K” fundraiser at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield. The event, which takes place partially on an airport runway, is scheduled for September 25th this year.

About Angel Flight: Founded in 1983, Angel Flight is a non-profit public benefit organization that provides free air transportation to patients with medical needs who face financial barriers or lack of access to commercial transportation. With various regional organizations across the United States, it relies on a network of volunteer pilots who donate their aircraft and time.

Role of Volunteer Pilots: Volunteer pilots are responsible for safely transporting patients and their caregivers from an airport near their home to an airport in the city where their medical treatment is located. These pilots often cover all flight-related expenses, including fuel and airport fees, out of their own pockets.

Patient Support: Angel Flight assists patients with a wide range of medical needs, including cancer treatment, organ transplants, specialized surgeries, and diagnoses. The organization primarily serves outpatients or those requiring short-term hospital stays, while emergency patient transport is typically handled by specialized services.

'Runway 5K' Event: The "Runway 5K" is one of Angel Flight's key fundraising events, engaging the community to donate and raise awareness for the organization's mission. Participation fees and sponsorships help fund the operational costs and expand the patient transportation services.

Changes Since the COVID-19 Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges to Angel Flight's operations due to travel restrictions. However, the importance of access to medical care has become even more apparent, and the organization has continued to provide patient transport while adhering to safety guidelines. Angel Flight has also explored new avenues for fundraising, such as virtual events.

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