The CGD Association received a letter regarding aid for patients in need of free air medical transportation. This is a very important service for CGD patients in need, because it allows them to fly to a destination where they believe they will receive the very best medical treatment. This program also helps with the transportation of patients for medical studies. The following is a copy of the letter that was sent:

Multiple sources of charitable air medical transportation are now available to almost anybody in the United States. There is no guarantee that every need will be met, but there are dedicated people working to help meet every need.

There are two national charitable programs that should be known by every medical organization, every health care worker and every family with a rare disorder patient. These are:

At the present time a “Child-Lift 1” program is serving a special double-blind drug testing program for Congenital Lactic Acidosis. A “Child-Lift 2” program is transporting patients with Sturge-Weber Syndrome. Both of these programs are serving the Clinical Research Center of the University of Florida. A third very large nationwide “speciallift” program is currently being negotiated.

Both of these charitable air medical transport programs are operated by Mercy Medical Airlift (MMA), a nonprofit charity specializing in developing, assisting and coordinating charitable public benefit air medical transport programs.

The HOTLINE can be reached at Tele: (800) 296-1217. To discuss possible future “special lift” programs call MMA at Tele: (703) 296-1191. MMA offices are in Manassas, Virginia but its services are nationwide. MMA operates the above described programs in support of the Air Care Alliance and works in full cooperation with and supports all known public benefit volunteer flying organizations, airline patient and other related patient air medical programs.

Many of the organizations listed below are members of the Air Care Alliance which is a league of public benefit volunteer pilot organizations providing air medical transportation for needy ambulatory outpatients. Air ambulance service and airline medical escort service is also available. Patient referrals are currently made to the following listing:

AirLifeLine, AirLifeLine of TX, Airline Compassionate/ Bereavement Fares, Alaska Airlines - Thru AirLifeLine, American Airlines, Angel Flight (CA, FL, South FL, GA, OK, New England, PA, TX, VA), Children’s Flight of Hope, Children’s Airlift Command, Children’s Transport for Life, Christian Air Ministry, Colgan Air, Continental Airlines (multiple programs), Corporate Angel Network, Delta Airlines - Thru United Way of America, Flights for Life (AZ, OH), Horizon Airlines - Thru AirLifeLine, LifeLine Pilots, Mercy Med Flights, Mercy Medical Airlift (TX, VA), Midwest Express Airlines, Miracle Flights for Kids, Mission Air Transportation Network (Canadian Citizens only), Northwest Airlines (Mayo Clinic only), Northwoods AirLifeLine, Phoenix Air Services, Pilots for Christ (OH, AL), Southwest Airlines, Trans World Airlines, United Way of America, Volunteer Pilots Assn., West Michigan Angel Flight, Wings for Children, Wings of Freedom, Wings Over Mid-America. Additional referrals (when appropriate) to: National Hospital Hospitality House Hotline, Children’s Organ Transplant Assn. Hotline, 200 additional special funding organizations.

For more information, contact:

Mercy Medical Airlift
P.O. Box 1940
Manassas, Virginia 20108-0804
Tele: (800) 296-1217
E-mail: mercymed@aol.com
Internet Website: www.mercymedical.org

The Medicine Program is an organization established by volunteers dedicated to alleviating the plight of an ever increasing number of patients who cannot afford their prescription medication. The free-of-charge prescription medicine ($5.00 processing fee for each medication requested) is available to individuals in need, regardless of age, if they meet the sponsor’s criteria.

Many drug manufacturers now sponsor patient assistance programs that provide free medicine to those who can’t afford to buy expensive prescriptions. Decisions concerning which medications are provided and which individuals are accepted into the programs are made by the various program sponsors.

To be approved for enrollment, some of the primary requirements are:

To be accepted into the program, the applicant’s income must fall within the limits established by his particular sponsor.

For more information, contact The Medicine Program at:

The Medicine Program
P.O. Box 4182
Poplar Bluff, MO 63902-4182
Tele: (573) 778-1118
E-mail: brochures@themedicineprogram.com
Website: www.themedicineprogram.com