For Immediate Release

February 22, 2007

 

Creation of the Children’s Air Corps Guild

Pilots Helping Kids Beat Cancer

 

There is nothing worse than for a parent to hear “your child has cancer.”  Yet, in 2004, that is exactly the words lifelong pilot Richard Newman received from the doctors at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center of Seattle.

 

And faster than an SR71 with afterburners, Children’s Oncology Department got to work saving now six year old Carli Newman’s life.  While she is not wholly out of the woods yet, she is under the best care a parent could want.  The treatment and care provided by Children’s was nothing short of amazing and the staff showed that they not only cared for the wellbeing of Carli, but of her parents.

 

But while Carli’s prognosis looks reasonable, Carli made friends with children she will never see again.  And, unfortunately, more children are coming in all the time with hope they will come out of the experience alive and healthy.

 

This is why Richard founded the Children’s Air Corps Guild, a group of pilots with the mission to raise much needed funds for Children’s Neuroblastoma Research.  Through general aviation flights and activities, Children’s Air Corps Guild will raise money that will expand and improve research at Children’s and assist in developing treatments for Neuroblastoma.  Children’s Air Corps Guild is a fully recognized non-profit affiliate of the Children’s Hospital Guild Association.

 

Our first attempt at raising money for Children’s is a new program we created, “A Gallon of Gas for Children’s!”   Between March 1st through 5th, 2007, look at the price of a gallon of fuel 100, 100LL, Jet-A, we do not discriminatewrite a check to Children’s Air Corps Guild for the value of one gallon, and send it to us along with where your home airport is located.  Include your name, email address, and your street address.  100% of your donation is tax deductible.

 

Our goal is for every single AOPA member to send the dollar equivalent of this one gallon, and if that happens, we will have met, maybe even exceeded, our goal of $500,000 for 2007!  No big checks, no massive payroll deductions, no flight missed because you busted your budget.  Just the equivalent of one gallon of aviation fuel, but with the impact of a flyby of a squadron of B-52’s!

 

Send all checks to:

 

The Children’s Air Corps Guild

c/o Northway Aviation of Washington, Inc.

10108 32nd Avenue West

Building C3, Suite 1B

Everett, WA  98204

 

 

The Children’s Hospital Guild Association is a diverse group of nearly 7,500 women, men, and teens who contribute their time, energy and compassion to support the work of Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center. Since the first guild started by Anna Clise in 1907, coinciding with the establishment of the Pacific Northwest region’s first hospital for children, today’s Guild Association is the largest all volunteer fundraising organization for any hospital in the nation.  Incorporated in 1987 as nonprofit organization and a subsidiary of Children’s Health Care System, its mission is to serve as advocates through volunteer, philanthropic and educational endeavors to ensure excellent care for all children in our region. For more information, visit seattlechildrens.org or contact the Guild Association at askus@seattlechildrens.org.

 

 

###