Air transportation making the difference between life and death. Flying patients to life-saving treatments and serving the poor who cannot afford transportation to medical care.

Cancer Survivor Gives Message in a Bottle

May you always have an angel by your side,
Watching out for you in all the things you do,
Reminding you to keep believing in brighter days,
Finding ways for your wishes and dreams
To take you to beautiful places…

Nicole knows that words can be a powerful source of encouragement for individuals struggling with cancer. A cancer survivor herself, the 35-year-old wife and mother developed 'Message in a Bottle' as a hopeful outreach and a way to 'give back.'

She collects, cleans and decorates empty wine bottles, then writes inspirational messages and includes poems such as 'May You Always Have an Angel by Your Side.' She sends the bottles to fellow cancer patients throughout the world.

In 2003 when she was pregnant with her son, Nicole lost her vision and was diagnosed with ocular melanoma, a rare form of cancer.

Because of her condition, she had to deliver the baby two months early. Only days after giving birth, she underwent surgery to remove her left eye.

Later scans revealed malignant lesions on her liver and brain.

Fortunately, she learned of Angel Flight Samaritans and made arrangements to travel to M.D. Anderson in Houston. She flew there five times for surgery and chemotherapy. Following that treatment protocol, she enrolled in an experimental program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

So far, Angel Flight Samaritans has provided Nicole with five free round-trip flights to Pittsburgh. 'It has made it possible for me to have the best medical care,' she said.