At NBAA-BACE, Corporate Angel Network Raises $435,000 for Charitable Flights

Corporate Angel Network (CAN) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) announced the organizations’ charity event raised $435,000 for CAN’s mission to transport cancer patients to treatment centers.

The successful and well-attended Fund an Angel Cocktail Reception was held at the Wynn on Oct. 11, in conjunction with NBAA’s 2017 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE).

“We’re so grateful to the business aviation community, gathered in Las Vegas, for its generosity and enthusiastic support for CAN’s mission of humanitarian flying,” said CAN Executive Director Gina Russo. “Every charitable flight depends on volunteers and donors, and every flight touches the life of a patient. This event helps make those flights possible.”

This year, organizers updated the format of the fundraiser, to fit with other evening events hosted by companies exhibiting at NBAA-BACE. The updated format brought new energy to the event, while continuing to offer guests an opportunity to network with leaders in the industry, support CAN’s life-saving mission and enjoy popular features from previous fundraisers, including a live auction from renowned auctioneer “Spanky” Assiter, and a separate, silent auction.

“We were so excited to see so much energy and passion at this very important fundraiser,” said Cheryl Padilla, NBAA vice president, conventions administrative affairs. “The new format proved to be popular with attendees, successful in raising funds for CAN’s critical mission and a wonderful way to for people to start their evening.”

CAN is the only charitable entity in the United States with a sole mission to help cancer patients access the best possible treatment, by arranging free air travel to and specialized care facilities aboard business aircraft. Since its founding 36 years ago, CAN has made more than 54,000 flights possible for cancer patients.

“Business aviation is a community that gives back, and that values opportunities to share our passion,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “This event, and CAN’s decades of work planning humanitarian flights on business aircraft, allow us to do both. We’re very pleased with the success of this year’s event.”