Ask me why am I running the 2019 Boston Marathon...I am truly honored to be the first person to run the Boston Marathon in support Angel Flights NE and their mission to provide transportation to patients to receive medical treatment for their critical diagnoses. Angel Flights NE is an organization particularly close to my heart and I have firsthand seen the impact that they can provide on those faced with life threatening diseases requiring complex care.
Jessica Kaminski, the amazing wife of my cousin Kevin and the big sister I never had, was diagnosed with stage IV ColoRectal Cancer in April of 2016 at the young age of 36. Jessica, mother of 2 amazing boys James and Nathan took her fight to the best hospitals in Boston, but after little more than a year of treatment, 3 major surgeries, 30 rounds of radiation and a dozen round of chemotherapy, her cancer continued to progress and continued treatment in Boston offered limited hope. At this time Jessica found a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City. This trial provided renewed hope that Jessica could be cancer free and in December of 2017, following liver surgery and chemotherapy treatments directed into her liver through a pump implanted in her abdomen, Jessica’s doctors told her that they could find no evidence of disease. Unfortunately this amazing fortune was short lived and in April of 2018 Jessica’s cancer had returned in her liver and her lungs. Jessica participated in another trial at MSKCC that had her in NYC every two weeks. Jessica’s treatment continues to be overseen by the amazing doctors at MSKCC, with local chemotherapy treatments dispensed locally at Lahey Hospital and visits to MSKCC every 2 months to follow her treatment. Angel Flight NE has become an amazing ally in Jessica’s fight for a cure to this terrible disease. The volunteer pilots have provided Jessica with over 50 flights to receive treatment in New York City and when the weather conditions would not allow for the smaller planes to fly, Angel Flight NE’s partner Jet Blue would step up and provide Jessica with commercial flights. It may not seem like much, but because of Angel Flight NE, Jessica’s trips to NYC in many cases were contained to 1 day, eliminating a night away from James and Nathan, and 6-8 hours of driving, which when faced with such a terrible disease, every hour spent with loved ones counts more than ever could be imagined. Jessica’s story is just one of the many that has been touched by Angel Flight NE, who since 1996 has worked to coordinate over 77,000 flights, covering more than 14 million miles to provide those required long distances to seek lifesaving medical care. That is why this year I will be running the 123rd Boston Marathon. I am running to support an organization that has done so much to support so many and give them back time with their loved ones, and help make their care just a bit easier. Please consider donating to Angel Flights NE, your generosity can make the difference in someone’s life, like it has made a difference for Jessica. |
Please take a moment to view the 5 for Good - WCVB Piece that features Jessica and her family. She speaks about how Angel Flight NE is helping her and her family.
Amount Raised to Date: ***$10,374***
(As of 4/25/2019 @ 9:00AM)
Angel Flight NE is a nonprofit that coordinates free air transportation for children and adults to access life-saving medical care.
Since its founding, Angel Flight NE has coordinated over 77,000 flights of healing and hope.
Volunteer pilots have transported patients more than 14 million miles.
To learn more, visit www.angelflightne.org.
Since its founding, Angel Flight NE has coordinated over 77,000 flights of healing and hope.
Volunteer pilots have transported patients more than 14 million miles.
To learn more, visit www.angelflightne.org.