Posted at 11:26 a.m., Wednesday, October 2, 2002
Cancer patients on Kaua'i to fly for free to see doctor
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer
The Princeville-based airline will offer an empty airline seat each day at no cost to cancer patients who are registered with the American Cancer Society's Kaua'i office. Patients can take the flights for doctor appointments, medical tests or treatment such as radiation not available on Kaua'i, according to the Society's Kaua'i executive director Mary Williamson.
North Shore Airways pilot Joseph Sandlin said the company is pleased to provide the community service as a way help cancer patients, especially those on the North Shore and East Side of Kaua'i.
Williamson said this week that the partnership came through someone connected with the airline seeing there was a community need for the service after their lives were touched by cancer.
Bonnie McMahon, vice president for distinguished gifts for the American Cancer Society Hawai'i Pacific, Inc., said she is not aware of a similar service being offered within the state by another airline.
North Shore Airways flies to Honolulu every morning at 7:30 and returns every evening at 5 p.m. Flight time in the nine-passenger Piper Chieftain is about 40 minutes, but North Shore residents save the round trip drive to Lihu'e and paying for airport parking.
Some insurance plans cover air travel while those that do not leave patients with another burden.
On Oahu, the plane lands at the Executive Terminal of Honolulu International Airport, next to the Inter-island Terminal next door. Clients of the American Cancer Society can arrange for the HandiVan and other ground transportation options for a ride to appointments.
The American Cancer Society is the provider of most cancer-related education and services in the community. "Direct assistance to patients, including air travel, is the single largest item in our program budget," Williamson said.
In addition, the agency also provides Lihu'e-to-Honolulu air coupons to those patients who must seek appointments, testing, and treatment off island through funding from the Vidinha Charitable Trust, Carlozzi Foundation, Visitor Industry Charity Walk and other donors.
To learn more about North Shore Airways, visit www.northshoreairways.com. The American Cancer Society is a nationwide community-based health organization committed to preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. For cancer information, call (800) 227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
