Corporate Angel Network raises $435,000 for charitable flights

Corporate Angel Network

The Corporate Angel Network (CAN) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) have raised $435,000 for CAN’s mission to transport cancer patients to treatment centres.

They held a Fund an Angel Cocktail Reception at this year’s NBAA-BACE.

“We’re so grateful to the business aviation community, gathered in Las Vegas this week, for its generosity and enthusiastic support for CAN’s mission of humanitarian flying.”

Gina Russo, executive director at CAN, said: “We’re so grateful to the business aviation community.. for its generosity and enthusiastic support for CAN’s mission of humanitarian flying. Every charitable flight depends on volunteers and donors, and every flight touches the life of a patient. This event helps make those flights possible.”

This year, organisers updated the format of the fundraiser, to fit with other evening events hosted by companies exhibiting at NBAA-BACE. The updated format brought new energy to the event, while continuing to offer guests an opportunity to network with leaders in the industry, support CAN’s life-saving mission and enjoy popular features from previous fundraisers, including a live auction from renowned auctioneer “Spanky” Assiter, and a separate, silent auction.

Cheryl Padilla, NBAA vice president, conventions administrative affairs, added: “We were so excited to see so much energy and passion at this very important fundraiser. The new format proved to be popular with attendees, successful in raising funds for CAN’s critical mission and a wonderful way to for people to start their evening.”

CAN’s mission is to help cancer patients access the best possible treatment, by arranging free travel to specialised care facilities aboard business aircraft. Since its founding 36 years ago, it has made more than 54,000 flights possible for cancer patients.

Ed Bolen, president and CEO at the NBAA, said: “Business aviation is a community that gives back, and that values opportunities to share our passion. This event and CAN’s decades of work planning humanitarian flights on business aircraft allow us to do both. We’re very pleased with the success of this year’s event.”