— from Karen Hiller —
When my husband and I moved to Orcas early in 1998, our dreams and plans, years in the making, were finally realized. We were soon dyed-in-the wool islanders, and have never looked back.
Then April 2nd of this year, I received a diagnosis, that every woman dreads, Breast Cancer. This led to surgery at the beginning of May, and being told I needed a subsequent round of Radiation Therapy, for 5 consecutive weeks, Monday through Friday. The logistics of this were OVERWHELMING, to say the least.
Taking a ferry would entail a minimum of nine hours, EVERY DAY. That prospect was absolutely daunting, but then my husband remembered reading about volunteer pilots who fly patients to the mainland for treatments, and after some internet search, he found Mercy Pilots of Orcas Island.
Not knowing whether I would be considered for this program (we are both retired educators, and don’t have unlimited funds), I decided to contact Audrey Wells, the program’s Coordinator, and to quote a famous cliche “The
Rest is History.” Not only was I accepted, but as Audrey said, I was just what the program was created for: Islanders needing help from other islanders to complete off island, necessary, medical treatments, with or without the ability to pay. For me, this entailed 25 treatments over a five week period, which ended on August 20. Of those 25 treatments, I was transported by
Island pilots 23 times (2 days necessitated ferry travel, because of weather).
I need to mention, that due to a shortage this year of Orcas Island volunteer pilots, Audrey spoke to a group of Pilots on San Juan Island, who have a similar program, and they agreed to fill the gap. SO, I need to thank the following, HEROS of mine, from Orcas: 1st Audrey Wells, who coordinates
the program and can be reached at (360) 376-3201, my HERO pilots from Orcas; Jack Becker, Rick Fant (and his pilot wife, Myrna), Pat Moffett, and Bob Waunch.
From Friday Harbor travelled my HEROS from San Juan: Jim Cox, Carlo Franciosi, John Geyman, Jim Sweet, and Darryl Swenson. ALL of these pilots were well experienced, efficient, caring and kind, and I LOVED the flying, which brought a great deal of joy to me, in this difficult time of my life. I will never forget their generosity and kindness.
I would also like to thank Kathleen, Francesca & Melanie of Bellingham Aviation Services, who made sure I had a loaner car everyday to travel from Bellingham Airport to Peace Health Cancer Center.
I want to encourage any experienced, friendly, charitable Orcas Island pilots to consider joining this incredible, much needed service (contact Audrey); and for everyone else on Orcas, to consider donating what you can, to keep this fantastic program going. Take it from me, you never know when you are going to need it Donations can be made to: Orcas Aviation
Association, with a notation on your check: For Mercy Flights; and Sent to: Audrey Wells, P.O. 164, Eastsound, WA 98245.
Just another reason, I know, we made the right choice almost 22 years ago, when we decided to make Orcas our forever home; what other place on earth takes care of their own like this?
This is another reason why Orcas should maintain and upgrade the airstrip as needed. As an Angel Flight heli pilot and physician, I know just how critical these flights are for islanders. Good job and hats off to my Washington colleagues!
Thank you for writing this Karen. It is just delightful, and not the least bit surprising, to hear about the generosity of islanders. As a part time resident and full time person living with cancer, I have heard of this program but didn’t know how to donate. I hope that you highlighting this valuable service will result in more folks supporting them.