Eliminating stress and costs associated with cancer treatments was made easier on Wednesday.
The Canadian Cancer Society NL, PAL Airlines and Air Borealis extended its agreement to move cancer patients back and forth from Labrador in order for them to avail of treatments here in St. John’s.
The Canadian Cancer Society’s Air Daffodil program provides two flights a year for a cancer patient and a caregiver. The number of flights provided is strictly contingent upon the level of support received from the community.
“Since the implementation of this program in 2015, the Canadian Cancer Society has provided 658 one-way flights supporting 310 clients from all parts of Labrador,’’ Matthew Piercey, CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society-NL said Wednesday.
“We are very grateful to PAL Airlines and Air Borealis for recognizing the good that this program is doing for cancer patients in Labrador by extending their support,” he added.
Piercey said the airline offers in-kind travel as well as flexible medical fares to the Society’s Air Daffodil initiative.
PAL’s unwavering approach to community involvement has earned it consistent recognition and multiple awards throughout its markets.
The Canadian Cancer Society officially launched the program three years ago to support cancer patients in Labrador who have to travel outside the region for cancer care.
The “Air Daffodil” program was introduced to help alleviate the overwhelming financial burden associated with travel costs out of Labrador.
“Sponsorship of our support programs is integral to their success. We are also most thankful to individuals, businesses, service organizations and others in Labrador for stepping up and taking ownership of this program through financial donations and fundraising activities,” Piercey said.
Philip Earle, vice-president of business development for Air Borealis also commented on the importance of the program for patients in Labrador.
“Our goal with this initiative is to reduce the stress on patients and their families who are required to travel outside of Labrador for their cancer treatment,” Earle said.
PAL Airlines prides itself on actively contributing to the betterment of its communities.
Each year, its employees are active in community initiatives focused on giving back – it’s not a mandate — but rather an extension of its core values.
“We are proud to support the Air Daffodil program for the third consecutive year and thank the Canadian Cancer Society for their initiative,” Stephen Dinn, vice-president, business development at PAL Airlines said.
Air Borealis provides regular scheduled flights and cargo services to the north coast of Labrador in addition to charter and skedivac services to the north and south coasts of Labrador and throughout Eastern Canada.
The combined service and route networks of Air Borealis and PAL Airlines equates more flight options, more routes, and total ease of travel for passengers.
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and to enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer. Thanks to its donors, the Society has the most impact against the most cancers in the most communities in Canada.
Building on its progress, it is working with Canadians to change cancer forever.
