Corporate Angel Network's 14,000th Flight Piloted by BellSouth Network celebrates 20 years of service by flying nine-year-old leukemia patient home for the holidays Teterboro, NJ, and Atlanta, GA 12/7/ 01 — With the help of BellSouth Corporation, the Corporate Angel Network, based in White Plains, New York, made its 14,000th flight today and helped a nine-year-old leukemia patient arrive home in time for the holidays. Celebrating its 20th year of operation, Corporate Angel Network is the national, not-for-profit organization that transports cancer patients free of charge to and from cancer treatment centers throughout the United States by arranging for them to fill available seats on corporate jets flying on routine business. Making the milestone 14,000th flight was Sarah DiNardo, a nine-year-old leukemia patient from LaGrange, GA, accompanied by her mother, Nancy Roghmans. The two flew back with BellSouth pilots and executives to Atlanta, GA, from Teterboro, NJ, near Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, where Sarah is a patient. "These flights save patients money and get them to and from treatment in comfort," said Thomas Robertazzi, executive director of Corporate Angel Network "The support and concern of the corporations that transport them demonstrate to cancer patients that people really care." "We're pleased to be part of the network of corporations participating in this worthwhile cause," said Duane Ackerman, chairman and CEO of BellSouth Corporation, "and we congratulate the Corporate Angel Network on its 14,000th flight and its 20 years of service." About 50 university hospitals and 27 major cancer treatment centers in the U.S. specialize in treating specific cancers, and survival for each patient may depend on getting to the correct center. Treatment is often distant, and airfare -- not covered by health insurance -- is costly, especially when patients like Sarah must return frequently for specialized treatment. The stress of commercial air travel, along with exposure to germs while traveling on crowded planes or passing through busy airline terminals, present additional problems for many cancer patients whose immune systems are already compromised. Adult patients may travel with a companion, and children can travel with both parents. Sarah DiNardo is a frequent Corporate Angel Network flyer. Three years ago, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Last year, she spent ten months in isolation at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, where she received a bone marrow transplant. Since then, Sarah has been flying back and forth with her mother once a month for specialized follow-up treatment. Now in remission, she recently began a regime of visits once every three months. Sarah's mother heard about Corporate Angel Network through a fellow resident at Ronald McDonald House, where they stay when in New York. "We thought we'd have to live at Ronald McDonald House the rest of our lives, since we couldn't afford to fly back and forth," said Mrs. Roghmans. "But the people at Corporate Angel Network are the nicest, most helpful people. Thanks to them, we have not yet been unable to get a flight, as long as we are flexible about when we fly. "The pilots and executives on board introduce themselves and make us feel comfortable," she added. "As a parent, it's a comfort to know the pilots by name and have them know us, too. They speak to Sarah and are genuinely concerned about how she's doing." BellSouth has participated in the Corporate Angel Network since 1998 and has made nine flights this year. The Network includes 500 corporate partners. Corporate Angel Network is the only charitable organization in the United States exclusively partnering with corporations to provide this service. The program has received numerous awards, including the President’s Volunteer Action Award and the President’s Private Sector Initiative Award. Other recognition includes the J. C. Penney Golden Rule Award and a Special Salute from the U. S. Chamber of Commerce. All cancer patients and bone marrow donors who are ambulatory and not in need of medical support are encouraged to participate. Eligibility is not based on financial need, and patients may travel as often as necessary. To register, patients should call the Corporate Angel Network within three weeks of a specific travel date. About Corporate Angel Network Based in White Plains, NY, Corporate Angel Network operates out of offices donated by the Westchester County Airport. A team of 60 part-time volunteers and five paid staff work with patients, physicians, corporate flight departments and leading treatment centers to arrange more than 1,200 flights a year. Currently, Corporate Angel Network coordinates a fleet of more than 1,500 aircraft, and typically schedules 100 flights per month. Major support comes from businesses that own or operate general aviation aircraft as an aid to the conduct of their business. As a public charity, Corporate Angel Network is supported entirely by contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations. About BellSouth Corporation BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications services company headquartered in Atlanta, GA, serving more than 46 million customers in the United States and 15 other countries. Consistently recognized for customer satisfaction, BellSouth provides a full array of broadband data and e-commerce solutions to business customers, including Web hosting and other Internet services. In the residential market, BellSouth offers DSL high-speed Internet access, advanced voice features and other services. BellSouth also provides online and directory advertising services, including BellSouth® Real PagesSM.com. BellSouth owns 40 percent of Cingular Wireless, the nation's second largest wireless company, which provides innovative wireless data and voice services. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Peg Bernhardt, BellSouth Media Relations Phone: (404) 249-3195 Jeff Battcher, BellSouth Media Relations Phone: (404) 713-0274 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeanne Shanin Phone: (914) 328-1313 jshanin@corpangelnetwork.org Back to press releases