Organization has coordinated more than 80,000 flights for ailing children, covering 44 million air miles to date
GREEN VALLEY, NEVADA – Miracle Flights for Kids, the nation’s leading charitable flight organization, announced today that it will use a new and unexpected contribution of more than $40 million to significantly expand its programs and services. The new money represents proceeds from a 2008 class action legal settlement in which British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airlines agreed to donate unclaimed funds to the charitable organization under the legal doctrine of cy pres. Miracle Flights was not a party to the suit.
Thousands of children are born each year with a rare or genetic disease, and many thousands more are stricken with severe, life-altering or life-threatening illnesses, many of which require the attention of medical specialists in other parts of the United States. For many families struggling with medical bills, an airline ticket to allow a sick child to see a much-needed specialist is beyond their means. Since 1985, Miracle Flights has provided the financial assistance needed to fly children struggling with serious illnesses, and their parents, to and from specialized treatment centers and hospitals.
“This is the kind of gift that small charities dream about. Our organization, which began on the floor of my living room, now has the resources to help more children than we ever could have envisioned,” said Ann McGee, President and Founder of Miracle Flights. “I have always believed that money should never stand in the way of children getting to the best possible medical treatment – no matter how far away the right doctors and the right treatments might be. On behalf of the children we will now be able to assist, we are so thankful to have been selected to receive this invaluable contribution.”
Miracle Flights is currently developing plans to significantly expand its programs and services, including:
* Pawfect Connections™, a travel assistance program for families in need of service animals;
* MFFK CaRes™, a travel assistance program for families attending medical camps and retreats; and
* A robust international program, which will improve upon a prior model that has provided children from 38 countries with travel assistance to come to the United States for care.
In consultation with financial advisors, the organization has also made a number of investment decisions to best position the organization to provide much needed assistance for years to come.
“Our Board of Directors is keenly aware of this unprecedented opportunity afforded to Miracle Flights and the children we are determined to help,” McGee stated. “Any changes to our programs, services and fundraising strategies will come after each is analyzed to ensure that we continue to be good stewards of all contributions we receive. Our singular focus is to continue to help these kids.”
Any child needing medical treatment that is not available in their immediate area or a second medical opinion from a faraway, qualified specialist is eligible to apply for assistance. For more information, go to: http://www.miracleflights.org.
