2012 NBAA/CAN BENEFIT RAISES $371,000 FOR LIFE-SAVING FLIGHTS

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the Corporate Angel Network (CAN) applaud those who helped raise $371,000 on October 31 at NBAA2012 through an industry benefit held to support CAN’s life-saving flights for cancer patients.

The funds for CAN were raised through an annual benefit titled, “NBAA/CAN Soiree — An Evening With Angels,” which included live and silent auctions and a concert performance by Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. The event was held at the Peabody Hotel in Orlando, FL.

A nonprofit organization, Corporate Angel Network provides transportation to treatment centers for cancer patients in empty seats on business aircraft. CAN employs six staff and a team of 35 part-time volunteers who work with patients, physicians, corporate flight departments and leading treatment centers to coordinate charitable flights. More than 500 companies support CAN, and since its founding in 1981, the organization has arranged nearly 40,000 patient flights.

“The business aviation community is honored to have this opportunity to help support CAN’s work to help families get access to treatment for their loved ones,” says NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Cancer is a terrible disease that touches many families, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who supported CAN’s mission through their participation in our benefit.”

CAN Executive Director Peter Fleiss agrees, stating: “The people and companies in the business aviation community show their support for CAN’s work every day by making empty seats available to transport cancer patients. With this event, the industry has further confirmed its support for our work through their generous contributions. Our thanks for their leadership and assistance.”

Every year, CAN is the exclusive beneficiary of the NBAA/CAN Charity Benefit at NBAA’s Convention.

At this year’s benefit, CAN presented its “Angel of the Year” Award to NBAA Member The Dow Chemical Company for its extraordinary support for the organization’s work. The award was presented to Gregory Freiwald, an executive vice president with the company, by astronaut Eugene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon.

CAN’s Peter Fleiss notes: “We applaud The Dow Chemical Company for its outstanding work in the support of humanitarian missions. The company has provided over 6,000 flights for cancer patients, and they are most deserving of this honor.”