Welcome to Lifeline
By Bob Stangarone, CAN President & CEO
Welcome to corporate angel netWork LifeLine, a neW publication designed to connect our various stakeholders in the medical and aviation communities to support cancer patients and their families as they go through the most difficult times of their lives.
Our mission is to provide cancer patients access to the best treatment centers in the United States by arranging free air travel, thanks to the generosity of corporations and airlines that provide empty seats on their flights.
As in all missions, communication is paramount, so Lifeline is designed to further the understanding of who we are and what we do at CAN, as well as encourage support from the many audiences that are essential to fulfilling our mission of saving and enhancing lives of patients and families touched by cancer.
At CAN we focus on three major areas: Patient awareness, recruitment of flight partners, and fundraising.
We view Lifeline as an essential tool for fostering connections within the cancer community and bridging the gap between various stakeholders, including patients and survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, volunteers, CAN Ambassadors, and supporters.
Lifeline will act as a conduit for sharing stories of resilience, hope, and triumph from those affected by cancer. Featuring personal narratives and testimonials can humanize the complex experience of cancer. By highlighting diverse perspectives, we can nurture a community that embraces inclusivity, thus expanding our reach and impact.
For our supporters and donors, the publication will serve as a key communication tool to articulate our impact, share success stories, and highlight ongoing initiatives. Through detailed accounts of our programs and their outcomes, we aim to inspire confidence and demonstrate transparency regarding the effective use of their contributions.
Furthermore, the reach of the publication extends beyond traditional audiences. In the digital age, we can leverage various distribution channels, including social media platforms and email newsletters, to maximize visibility and engagement. By tailoring content to the needs and preferences of different stakeholder groups, our publication stands to reach diverse demographics, from scientific communities to laypersons, thus fostering a unified cancer community.
As we embark on this journey, we welcome your comments and ideas that could help us better serve this life-critical community.
Meet the Team
Corporate Angel Network has a small but dedicated staff, including (left to right) rebecca Fre-hiwet, operations Manager; Courtney easton, Vice president of Development; robert Stangarone, president and Ceo; Kelly Scanlon, patient Services Manager; and Courtney Ward, patient Services Flight Scheduler.
107 Mill plain road, Suite 204
Danbury, CT 06811
Tel: (914) 328-1313
www.corpangelnetwork.org
TEAM
Robert Stangarone, president & Ceo
Courtney Easton, Vp of Development
Rebecca Fre-Hiwet, operations Manager
Kelly Scanlon, patient Services Manager
Courtney Ward, patient Services Flight Scheduler
BoArd of dirEcTors
John G. Rosanvallon (Chairman),
Formerly Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation
Michael Amalfitano, embraer executive Jets
W. W. (Bill) Boisture, Jr., Ae industrial partners LLC
Mark Burns, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
Derek DeCross, Signature Aviation
Scott Donnelly, Textron inc.
Elise Eberwein, formerly American Airlines
Jennifer Leach English, AiN publications
Matthew Greene, Safe Flight instrument, LLC
Dawne S. Hickton, Cumberland Additive, inc.
David C. Hurley, Aviation partners boeing, inc. & ALoFT Aero Architects
Adam M. Johnson, NetJets inc.
Wilson S. Leach, Aviation international News
Dr. Bret Schipper, hartford healthCare
AMBAssAdors
Larry Anglisano
Eric Blinderman
Bob Blouin
Kathleen Blouin
Cassandra Bosco
Richard Cleary
Susan Cotten
John Gabriel
Dick Koenig
Jamail Larkins
Jim Lewis
Steve Markham
Bob Scott
Bob Searles
Pat Sullivan
The Turboprop Flight Option
Since 1981, Corporateangel network (Can) has been helping thousands of cancer patients access the best treatment in the U.S. by arranging free travel on business jets. This makes it possible for patients, especially those who live in locations with limited airline service or are facing financial hardships, to fly directly to specialized medical centers.
while Cancontinues to work closely with many ofamerica’s leading corporations to match empty seats on company jets with flight requests from patients who need to travel to the same destination for treatment, the organization recently decided to significantly expand the number of aircraft that cancer patients might use by adding turboproppowered aircraft to its traditional turbofanpowered fleet.
“our challenge is to provide many more patients with this service,” said Canpresident and Ceorobert Stangarone. “we have an opportunity to save many more lives by opening up the fleet to the thousands of single- and twin-engine turboprop aircraft currently in operation.
“while we are incredibly proud of the number of lives we have helped, our efforts are limited by the availability of flight resources,” explained Stangarone. “For years, patient requests for flights have outnumbered available aircraft.”
while treatments have advanced, many patients still face formidable challenges, especially when it comes to accessing specialized care in distant locations.transportation often is a critical issue, particularly for those living in
business Aviation Saves Lives
By n eil Book, JSSI Chairman and C eo
what comes to mind when you hear the words “private jet”?
In most media coverage and out-of-industry conversations, the focus is often on celebrity travel, executive perks, and luxury.what’s often missing is the crucial and beneficial role business aviation plays in everyday life impacting each of us in meaningful ways.
at JSSI, we serve thousands of owners and operators globally through maintenance programs, parts and leasing, software solutions, aircraft finance, and beyond. This gives us a front-row seat to the lesser-known, yet vital, side of our industry: one that delivers real value to the public.
Business aviation helps us save time, reach underserved communities and markets beyond the reach of commercial airlines, drive economic growth, and provide tailored solutions for cargo and logistics. It also plays a critical role in supplying humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and emergency medical transport as seen during the CoVID-19 pandemic when commercial travel came to a halt.
as a global leader in business aviation with a steadfast commitment to corporate social responsibility, JSSI is
“an integral part of Can’s mission is to ensure safe travel for the patients we serve,” said Stangarone. “This was a major consideration in expanding our lift capacity to turboprop aircraft and will remain a priority.”all Canflights are flown in pressurized aircraft with a crew of two.aircraft operators that would like to participate with Can should call (914) 328-1313 or email info@corpangelnetwork.org.
dedicated to positively impacting the world around us. From backing impactful charities and foundations to honoring our heroes and building programs that inspire the next generation of aviation leaders, our efforts are driven by a deep sense of responsibility and a desire to make a meaningful difference.
This sense of purpose led us to support Corporateangel network (Can). This nonprofit helps cancer patients access top treatment centers across the United States by arranging free travel on corporate aircraft leveraging the vast airport network and infrastructure supporting our industry.whether a patient is traveling for surgery, a clinical trial, or a second opinion, Canreduces physical, emotional, and financial stress by providing a seat on a corporate flight. JSSI proudly supported Can’s annual fundraiser, Fund anangel, last october, held in conjunction withnBaa-BaCe
By bridging the gap between corporate aviation resources and the critical transportation needs of cancer patients seeking specialized medical care, Canenables companies to offer life-changing support showcasing one of the most powerful, public-facing aspects of our industry: saving lives.
Cancer Treatment Advances Offer Hope for the Future
By Bret Schipper, MD, FACS, CPE
As a cancer surgeon, I often face challenging cases that require a true multidisciplinary team approach to ensure the patient gets the proper care at the right time to try and achieve a cure. Unfortunately, cancer does not always follow the rules, and sometimes, despite our best efforts, we lose that battle.
However, the fight against cancer is continually changing, and with the use of new technologies, we are constantly coming up with new ways to win the war. In this article, I want to share with you some of the latest advances in cancer care, such as DNA sequencing, allowing precision oncology, as well as the growing use of vaccine treatments.
We know all tumors, even those in the same organ, do not behave the same. The goal of precision oncology is to
deliver the right cancer treatment to the right patient at the right time. Precision oncology utilizes DNA sequencing to examine the genetic makeup of a patient’s individual tumor and identify the mutations in the cells that allow it to grow and spread. We can then tailor their treatment to use drugs that target these mutations.
At a high level, therapeutic cancer vaccines try to train the body to protect itself against its own cancer. There are two main types of cancer vaccines: preventative and therapeutic. Preventative vaccines such as the Hepatitis B vaccine can protect us from liver cancer, and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine can help prevent cervical and head and neck cancers.
The next step is using therapeutic vaccines that can teach our immune
Signature Aviation’s Derek DeCross elected to CAN board of Directors
system to fight a tumor and stop it from growing, as well as destroy cancer cells left in the body after surgery or radiation, trying to prevent recurrences. We currently have FDA-approved cancer vaccines for prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and melanoma, with trials going on in pancreatic cancer and head and neck cancer.
It is an exciting time in the fight against cancer as things like artificial intelligence and machine learning are also starting to allow us to fight this terrible disease in new and exciting ways. In order for patients to get these cutting-edge treatments, they need to be able to get to the centers that offer them, and that’s where Corporate Angel Network makes such an impact and can help save lives.
About the
Author
Bret Schipper, MD, FACS, is chief of surgical oncology at Hartford (CT) Hospital and director of oncologic surgery for the entire Cancer Institute. Dr. Schipper was elected to Corporate Angel Network’s Board of Directors in March 2024.
Derek DeCross, Chief Commercialofficer of Signatureaviation, was elected to the Board of Directors of Corporateangelnetwork (Can) inapril.
Signatureaviation operates a network of private aviation terminals across 200-plus locations in 27 countries on five continents.prior to joining Signature, DeCross had a 25-year career in the travel and hospitality industry, including senior leadership roles at americanairlines and IHgHotels andresorts.
“we’re delighted to welcome Derek to the Corporateangelnetwork Board of Directors,” said CanChair Jeanrosanvallon. “His wealth of experience in business and commercial aviation will be a valuable asset as we work to take Canto the next level.”
“Signatureaviation has been a long-time supporter of Can, with numerous flights in and out of our terminals every year,” noted DeCross. “Canis a powerful example of how private aviation can make a meaningful difference in our communities. I’m honored to support Can’s mission as a member of the Board of Directors and look forward to helping even more cancer patients access the care they need.”
California Child Benefits from CAN Flights to NYC K
arsen Beron was diagnosed with Stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma in June 2019, when he was just four years old. neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer that starts in immature nerve cells, mainly affects children under the age of two.althoughkarsen lives in the San Diego area, it was decided his best option for treatment was at Memorial Sloankettering Cancer Center innew York City.
karsen along with both parents, kenny andkristen Beron, spent five months innew York while he underwent aggressive treatment, which involved six cycles of moderate to high-dose chemo therapy; a 13-hour surgery to remove the primary tumor from his left adrenal gland, which also resulted in the loss ofkarsen’s left kidney; 14 sessions of radiation, six months of immunotherapy, as well as completing a two-year clinical trial. The intensity and aggressiveness of his treatment affected his hearing in both ears, rendering the need for a hearing aid, and the chemotherapies and clinical trial he underwent made him immunocompromised for an extended period of time. However, byoctober 2019,karsen was declared cancer-free.
By latenovember 2019,kristen was happy to finally be able to bring karsen home, but confided to her friend Crystal Shaw, another neuroblastoma mom, that she was concerned about traveling cross country with an immunocompromised child. Crystal suggested thatkristen call Corporate angelnetwork (Can) to see if the organization might be able to help arrange a better way to fly back to California.
“I had no idea what Canwas,” recalledkristen, “but I searched online and found how to request a flight. There were no guarantees we’d be able to get
on a flight, but Candid all they could and finally secured a flight for us.”
kristen was greatly relieved to know that she,karsen andkenny would be able to fly in a more comfortable environment, wherekarsen could lay down if he became tired. She also was grateful that he would not have to be exposed to hundreds of other travelers in an airport terminal and on a commercial flight.
In addition, there was the financial benefit of not having to cover the cost of flying back fromnew York. “all the copays and expenses that come with having a child who has cancer is a lot, so any chance of relieving some of that financial burden is helpful,” said kristen.
when the time came to fly,karsen was awed by the corporate plane, and on his initial flight the crew gave him his own pilot’s hat and sunglasses. “all of the pilots have always been so kind and welcoming tokarsen and our family,” saidkristen. “we are grateful for the companies and people who provide flights.”
we’re almost 6 years out from karsen’s initial Stage 4 diagnosis, but he still sees a whole team of physicians, including oncologists, cardiologists, audiologists, nephrologists, endocrinologists, dermatologists and more.karsen now undergoes annual
checkups innew York, following a long-term survivorship protocol for his intense treatment. He will need to be followed into his adult years to watch for any potential relapses, in addition to the possibility of developing a secondary cancer.
one ofkarsen’s most memorable flights between CaandnY was when the Ceotook time from his work to eat breakfast with him and his mother. kristen recalled, “we discussedkarsen’s cancer diagnosis, and the Ceoinformed us that he also took his daughter tonew York for cancer treatment. I knew in that moment that he fully understood the gravity of having a child with cancer and the need to keep them as healthy as possible.”
“all of the pilots and flight attendants have been amazing,”kristen continued. “In particular, there was one pilot who really made an impact on us. He said, ‘This probably is my last flight as a professional pilot, but the very best [because] I had the opportunity to fly a Canpatient.’we were honored to have him fly us, and I know he was honored to do it.”
Due to the treatmentkarsen received, his immune system took a beating. In the years since, his system has recovered somewhat, but his doctors have likened his immune system to that of a new baby. So, Can flights continue to providekarsen and other cancer patients like him with an invaluable service.
NBAA Has Provided Essential Support to CAN
The formal relationship between Corporateangel network (Can) and the national Businessaviationassociation (nBaa) thewashington, D.C.based group that represents companies that utilize general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful extends back decades. In fact,nBaamember companies have been helping cancer patients access the best treatment in the U.S. by providing free travel on business aircraft virtually ever since Canbegan in 1981.
so much about what is positive about the business aviation community.”
nBaapresident and Ceoed Bolen recalled that when he was appointed to lead the association in 2004 there already was “strong awareness, deep relationships and member support” for Can
“Fighting cancer is a cause that impacts everybody,” Bolen explained. “I can’t think of an individual who has not been touched in a profound way by cancer family members, friends, maybe even themselves. So, the fact that business aviation is being leveraged [to help fight cancer] reflects
over the years,nBaahas supported Canin several ways.after raising money at the association’s 2005 annual convention to assist the victims of Hurricanekatrina, nBaasubsequently decided to conduct fundraising events for other philanthropic causes each year during its annual convention. The yearly “nBaa gala,” which features live and silent auctions, has raised millions of dollars for Canand, according to Bolen, has become “a fundamental part” ofnBaa’s annual convention.
In 2017 Cantook over as host of the association’s annual fundraiser, which is now known as “Fund anangel,” butnBaahas continued to strongly support Canin several ways, said Courtneyeaston, Can’s Vicepresident of Development. For example,nBaa is a Canplatinum Sponsor, one of the supporters that provides the highest level of financial support to the organization. The association also has published free of charge Canads in its bimonthly magazine, Business Aviation Insider.
CAN Calendar of events
nBaaalso supplies Canwith free booth space at numerous association events, notedeaston, thus helping Cancontinue its outreach to the business aviation community. In addition, the association has designated Canas annBaa“Charity of Choice.”
amilestone in thenBaa/Can relationship occurred in 2008, when the association, seeking to elevate Can’s profile, presented itsal Ueltschi award for Humanitarianleadership to the organization in recognition of its work to provide free flights for cancer patients. The following year,nBaa was instrumental in Canwinning the nationalaeronauticassociation’s outstandingachievement inpublic Benefit Flyingaward.
“Corporateangelnetwork is a quintessential illustration of how the business aviation community contributes to our quality of life and helps save lives,” declared Can president and Ceorobert Stangarone. “The program offers companies with corporate jets the ability to couple business activities with corporate social responsibility, while reducing cancer patients’ physical, emotional and financial stress as they go through the most difficult of times.nBaa’s support of these efforts has been pivotal to Can’s success.”
Kelly Scanlon, Patient Services Manager
Kelly scanlon Is the only Corporate Angel Network (CAN) team member whose family has not been directly affected by cancer. But she has seen firsthand the toll that the disease can take. For four years she worked in the oncology department of CT’s Danbury Hospital, scheduling patients, creating reports, and performing a lot of backend tasks.
However, such work can be emotionally taxing, so Kelly decided to seek a slightly different kind of job, but one in which she could still continue to help patients. That’s when she saw a posting for an open position at CAN.
and the impact of the organization, I just knew it would be right for me.”
“The job was related to helping people with cancer, and I figured, why not? As soon as I learned more about the mission
Volunteer Profile
Kelly was hired as a flight scheduler in August 2023, and in January 2024 was promoted to her current post as Patient Services Manager. In that role she is responsible for overseeing the whole flight matching process, which involves pairing cancer patients with empty seats on corporate aircraft traveling to the same destinations. Kelly manages CAN’s flight scheduler, Courtney Ward, and the three volunteers who come into CAN’s Danbury, CT office to help answer the phones.
“I also help with reporting, assisting Courtney Easton [CAN’s Vice President of Development] wherever I can,” Kelly added.
Kelly says the best part of her job is
Meet Sue hartman
“when we actually get a flight match and you can hear [over the phone] just a little bit of relief from the patient. It makes you feel good.” Understandably, many patients are worried about how they are going to get to and from distant treatment centers, which is why CAN exists.
The most challenging part of Kelly’s job is having to tell patients that CAN doesn’t have a flight match for them.
“That’s why we ask everyone to have backup travel plans,” Kelly explained. “I ask patients if they have booked a commercial flight just in case. If they tell me ‘no,’ then I say, ‘Let me see if we have any donated airline vouchers available, or if we have remaining funding from a grant to purchase airline tickets. I’ll do whatever we can to help, within our resources.”
“At the end of the day, we just want to help more patients,” Kelly said. “I just wish we could help everybody who calls. I know that’s not feasible at this point. Maybe one day.”
Sue Hartman is a retired schoolteacher and cancer survivor whose lengthy medical journey took her tonew York’s Memorial Sloankettering (MSk) Cancer Center, where she first learned about Corporateangelnetwork (Can).
“Back in 2009, I had my first bout of cancer,” Sue explained.right away she sought treatment at MSk, where her brother, a physician who is a 25-year survivor of Stage 4 colon cancer, had been treated.luckily, Sue lived just 45 minutes from MSkand had easy access to the treatment center. “I was like a commuter,” she recalled. “But I was very fortunate to be going to MSkbecause I benefitted from cutting-edge treatments there.”
In 2019, Sue had a reoccurrence of her cancer and underwent major surgery, which required a five-day hospital stay. “During one of my walks through the hospital’s hallways I saw a flyer for Canon a bulletin board. I thought, this is amazing.”
“I had just retired from teaching, so I was looking for a volunteer position for myself because I really believe in volunteerism. I was raised with it. My parents were major volunteers.and even when I taught, I emphasized charity, giving back.when I started feeling better, I called Canand told them my story. They said, come in, and here I am.”
Sue registers patients, calls to confirm appointments with hospitals, and obtains medical clearance for flying. “I love working here. It’s a lovely family,” Sue declared.
The feeling is mutual.
Corporate Angel Network (CAN) provides cancer patients free seats on jet and turboprop business aircraft to treatment throughout the United States.
Thanks to the generous support of our partners, CAN has coordinated more than 69,000 patient flights. Can you spare an empty seat or donate to our mission? The space you fill may well be in your heart.