Since 2008, Angel Flight NE has been supporting Darius during his healthcare journey by scheduling flights of healing and hope so he can receive treatment for VACTERL Syndrome, a rare condition affecting multiple bodily systems.  With the support of JetBlue and the Alexion Charitable Foundation, Angel Flight has scheduled 30 flights for Darius enabling him to be able to travel from New Jersey to Ohio and Colorado for specialized care and treatment.

Darius’ mother Traci recently shared:

“Since our son Darius was just nine months old, Angel Flight NE has been a constant source of hope and support in our lives and for our family.

From those earliest days, when local volunteer pilots flew us in their small Cessna planes to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, to now, when they arrange commercial flights that help us reach his specialists in Colorado Children’s Hospital, Angel Flight NE has carried us—both physically and emotionally—through some of the most challenging moments of his journey. Thanks to their unwavering support, Darius is now in a stable place with his health, living a full and active life between his surgeries and appointments.

He recently completed six months of training and proudly passed his EMT exam, officially becoming a certified EMT. This summer, he’s fulfilling a dream of traveling to South Korea and Japan with friends before starting college at Hofstra University in the fall. Today, Darius is a young adult who loves snowboarding, traveling, fishing, working on cars, building computers, and playing soccer. Every step of his journey to this moment has been touched by the generosity of Angel Flight Northeast and their generous and amazing donors who we’ve loved meeting over the years, and our gratitude for their role in helping him live the life he loves is deeper than words can express.

Thank you to Angel Flight NE and to all the beautiful souls who donate their time, money and service to this organization. I don’t know where we would be without you all!!!!”

Darius’ journey is made possible with the support of the Alexion Charitable Foundation and JetBlue – both have contributed significantly improving Darius’ quality of life, embodying the spirit of collaboration and compassion. We are forever grateful for their belief in Angel Flight NE’s mission.