Distance can be a major barrier to accessing quality healthcare in a timely manner. For patients, access to air transportation can make all the difference in getting the treatment they need. However, flights can be expensive, and putting off medical care because of costs can put you or your loved ones at risk. That's where Angel Flight East comes in.Welcome to Take Off Talk with Angel Flight East, a nonprofit dedicated to facilitating free air transportation for children and adults with medical conditions who need treatment far from home. Our organization covers a 14 state footprint from Virginia to Ohio to Maine and for further distances, we partner with other public benefit flying organizations.  No matter how many times you need to get to your medical treatment or see a loved one in need, we are here to help. Unfortunately, few people know about free services like ours, and thus cannot use them when needed. We don't know how many people forgo medical care because they don't have accessible transportation, and that's what this podcast is here to change.Listen to real life stories from people who have used our services to get the care they need on time. Hear from our volunteers and staff about why they choose to help at their own expense. Our volunteer pilots use their private planes to fly patients to destinations, and pay for all expenses for each flight. By sharing their stories, we hope to inspire anyone who wishes to volunteer and become a part of our community.AFE provides help to social workers and case managers who need assistance in order to provide the best quality care. They are some of the most overworked people in healthcare, and we want them to understand how easy it is to use Angel Flight East. We aim to be a resource in their back pocket in case any of their patients need help traveling to medical care far from home. We also partner with various nonprofit organizations to provide additional resources to our patients, including assistance with household bills, ground transportation, and help with hotel expenses. Each episode of Take Off Talk is released in audio and video formats, so listeners can see the generous people on our team.The show is hosted by passionate AFE staff member Jessica "Jess" Ames. Jess is the Outreach & Events Director at Angel Flight East and has been involved with the organization since 2014. In her time with the company, she's worn many hats - as working in nonprofits often requires. From the first programs and events director to flight coordination, Jess has communicated with patients, pilots, family members, donors, and beyond. She can answer any question you have about how the program works. Learn from the host and invited guests who share their experiences from both ends - as recipients and volunteers. If you're a healthcare worker or a patient in need of air travel and flight services, AFE is here for you. In fact, we're here for everyone. Join us in our mission and tune in to Take Off Talk to learn more. For more information about Angel Flight East, please visit our website at www.angelflighteast.org or call our office at 215-358-1900!  You can also reach the host by email- [email protected].