For roughly nine months, Christie Neeld chewed on ice non-stop. The 44-year-old former educator and philanthropist from Royersford began to question why she had this craving and sought an answer through bloodwork. After two lab reports came back fine, Neeld requested a special test for the third try and received a stunning diagnosis in Nov. 2021: advanced colon cancer. 

A baseball-sized tumor in her large intestine made her body anemic. Although the source of the ice craving was finally revealed, Neeld now faced the ugly truth that her world was forever altered.

More testing revealed that Neeld had Lynch syndrome, a genetic disorder that complicated her treatment. After two years of multiple surgeries and other care in the Philadelphia area, doctors recommended Neeld seek treatment in Boston. It was yet another expense and difficulty in an already expensive and difficult journey. But, while scrolling through a support group on social media, Neeld found a glimmer of hope on social media. A comment suggested that cancer patients look into a nonprofit organization called Angel Flight East.

An organization founded on service

Founded by general aviation pilot Harry Morales in 1992, Angel Flight East (AFE) found a home at Wings Field in Blue Bell. Morales initially wanted to help with relief efforts after Hurricane Andrew but the organization soon began to fill another need: transporting passengers who need access to crucial medical care that is far away. In 1993, the first year of operations, AFE’s small group of volunteer pilots flew 17 flights. Today, almost 1,000 flights are scheduled each year.

Angel Flight East – one of multiple Angel Flight organizations across the country – serves 14 states from Virginia to Ohio and Maine. A volunteer network of more than 450 pilots ensures that passengers pay nothing for their services. All of the fuel, landing fees, and other expenses are covered and there is no limit to the number of times a passenger can use Angel Flight’s services.

AFE does more than provide flights for those who need medical treatment. In line with its founder’s mission, the organization also provides disaster relief and compassion flights for family members who wish to visit a loved one who is sick. 

Going the extra mile

When Christie Neeld took her first flight to Boston with Angel Flight East, she assumed it would be a one-time thing. But when an opportunity to participate in a clinical trial in Baltimore opened up, she returned to the organization, unsure if they would be willing to help her another time. Yet AFE did help her again. And again. Every 28 days, Neeld flies to Baltimore for treatment and returns home in time for dinner with her family. 

This consistency and willingness to go the extra mile is a hallmark of Angel Flight East’s service. If a passenger reaches out with short notice, AFE will strive to fulfill their request anyway. If a passenger doesn’t have transportation from the airport to their hotel, AFE will call them an Uber. And if AFE can’t help, it will contact other organizations that might. 

Michael Henricks, a detective from Blue Bell, had heard about AFE because it is so close by.  Yet when his daughter was diagnosed with a laryngeal cleft – a rare condition that can cause breathing and eating problems – he didn’t consider it for his daughter’s treatments in Boston. He felt that other families were more deserving. It was only when a large accident occurred on I-95 that Henricks reached out for help and took a flight to Boston to avoid traffic. 

He’s glad that he did.

“They are a phenomenal organization,” Henricks said. They will bend over backward for you. Don’t be like me. Don’t say ‘There’s people more deserving; I’m not going to use them.’...It doesn’t hurt to have that conversation, so reach out to them…it’s such a huge help and a gigantic stress relief.”

Pilots with a purpose

Ben Alimansky, an investor and licensed pilot since 1999, joined AFE as a volunteer in the spring of 2022. He was looking for a way to use his hobby to give back through a term known as public benefit flying. Every three to four months, Alimansky flies for AFE.

“It is just an amazing feeling to give back in such a way where you’re also just enjoying the experience of doing what you love,” Alimansky said.

John Fitch, a retiree from Ambler, agrees that being a volunteer pilot for AFE is a meaningful experience.

“It feels empowering,” Fitch said. “I always plan and execute those flights with a very high level of positivity and excitement, because I know I’m doing something important for somebody who needs help.”

Lifting the load

AFE flights alleviate a significant financial burden for passengers and their families. It also saves time. But perhaps the most important effect of an AFE flight is the lifting of an emotional toll.

“[Angel Flight East] completely changed my outlook and got me back to being myself, where I believe in people,” Neeld said. “I believe there’s so much good out there. They are life-changers…Cancer wants you to give up. Cancer wants to be annoying. Cancer wants this to be a bad experience. This organization completely changed everything around for me.”

And it’s not just the passengers who get this benefit. Those who work at AFE, serve on the board or fly the planes also come away feeling fulfilled. David Dailey, the flight coordinator for AFE, is a case in point. 

“It is an amazing feeling coming to work every day knowing that you’re helping people,” Dailey said. “That’s what we need to do in this world. We need to take care of each other and help people. It’s satisfying when I get to my car knowing that I did a little good in the world for the day.”

Ellen Williams, the executive director of AFE, agrees, calling it the “most impactful career that I’ve ever had.”

Getting the word out

Angel Flight East’s biggest challenge is spreading awareness that their service exists. Williams says the organization especially focuses on rural communities, letting those who might not live near a large healthcare network know that they can benefit from free air transportation. AFE is active on social media, posting on Facebook and Instagram. They also host a podcast called “Take Off Talk,” highlighting stories from passengers and pilots. 

Through these methods, AFE hopes to continually spread the word and make an impact. 

And for those like Michael Henricks, the impact is immeasurable.

“For [AFE] to bend over backwards for us; I’m speechless because of what they did for us…It’s beyond a godsend.”

If you are interested in donating or volunteering for Angel Flight East, visit angelflighteast.org or call 215-358-1900.