Dear Friend,

One-year-old Emily was a lovely child whose rosy, dimpled cheeks and big blue eyes were topped off by a cap of tousled brown ringlets; A child whose sweet laughter could elicit a smile from the grumpiest adult. Emily was the bright spot in her parents struggle to subsist. Living in a tiny Montana town where the scenery was spectacular but jobs were scarce, the family relied on public assistance to make ends meet. Happy despite the hardships, they cheerfully referred to their circumstances as "poverty with a view."

Then one day the world came crashing down. Little Emily was diagnosed with retinal blastoma, an exceedingly aggressive cancer of the eye that spreads quickly and kills often. Getting treatment within the next twenty-four hours was critical, but the nearest children's hospital equipped to treat Emily was in Salt Lake City. On short notice and with no return date the cost of airfare was beyond the family's limited means. Friends wanted to take up donations, but public assistance rules prohibited it- to accept would put payment for Emily's medical care in jeopardy. They contacted an organization that arranges private air transportation for children in need of medical care, but there were no volunteer pilots available. Finally an airline representative told Emily's parents that they could get a reduced price by driving eighty miles to another city served by a regional airline. Emily's grandparents scraped up money to lend for the tickets, and the distraught family was off. They prayed that their battered old car would hold up as they raced against the clock. Rattling down the rutted, winding highway under a blistering Montana sun, they prayed that they would make it to the airport on time. They prayed fervently for the life of their child.

This family's ordeal is where the vision for Mercy Xpress was born. We believe that no child should be lost because there is no money for airfare. Because there is no pilot available. Because the small planes flown by volunteers are grounded by bad weather. Our mission is to provide pilots twenty-four hours a day to those in need. To incorporate planes large enough to fly in comfort above bad weather. To provide transportation to lifesaving treatments, and to give hope to those who have little.

Emily's story has a happy ending. They did make it in time, and Emily got the treatment that saved her life. Today the happy little girl with bouncy curls remains cancer free. The sad reality of this story is that this situation repeats itself far too often. That is why Mercy Xpress was founded, to help families like Emily's get to life saving medical treatment. Whether on a moments notice or a weeks, it doesn’t matter, Mercy Xpress will be there to provide flights to those who find themselves facing the same unfortunate situation that Emily's parents did. In order for Mercy Xpress to continue to provide these flights we must rely on your generous, tax-deductible donation.

Please find it in your heart to support our mission of compassion by helping us give every child a chance for a happy ending. To find out how you can help Mercy Xpress make a difference, give us a call us at: 406-682-7965