Public Is Invited To Join UFC Matching Gift Challenge To Make More Miracle Flights Possible In 2019

Miracle Flights, the nation's leading medical flight charity, today announced a total of 582 free commercial flights provided in November to help critically ill children gain access to life-changing medical care not available in their local communities.

Last month's report included 52 flights from New York, 50 from California, 44 from North Carolina, 38 from Oklahoma and 28 each from Florida and Tennessee. Since its founding in 1985, Miracle Flights has provided 122,072 free commercial flights and donated nearly 70 million miles to alleviate the financial burden of medical travel for families around the country.

According to Miracle Flights CEO Mark E. Brown, a plane ticket is often the missing piece parents need to get their child the valuable medical treatment he or she requires.

"When parents come to Miracle Flights, they know where their child needs to go, but the problem is they can't afford to get to the treatment facility. Their insurance will only cover the cost of the medical care itself," said Brown. "That's where Miracle Flights comes in. We provide commercial flights at no cost to the families, from anywhere in United States to anywhere they need to go for proper medical treatment, as many times as necessary."

As an example, Brown cites 10-year-old Rosa from San Diego, who flies nearly 3,000 miles from home every six months with her mother for treatment of a rare joint condition called arthrogryposis. Rosa recently received her 20th Miracle Flight to care, with more flights expected in the new year.

"Flights like Rosa's are only possible thanks to the continued support of individual and community partners who so generously lend their resources to help further Miracle Flights' mission," said Brown. "They give hope to our families and futures to our children. They are the true 'miracle makers' of our organization."

In the spirit of the holiday season, UFC, the world's premier mixed martial arts organization, announced its continued support of Miracle Flights as its national charitable partner last month with a $20,000 donation to the organization. Through December 31, the public is invited to match UFC's donation and give hope for a healthy new year to sick children in need.

(Source: Miracle Flights news release)

FMI: www.miracleflights.org