Tue, Apr 26, 2011
CarolAnn Garratt Has Flown Twice Around The World To Raise
Awareness Of ALS
CarolAnn Garratt, who has circumnavigated the planet twice in an
effort to raise awareness for ALS, has launched a third attempt
which began with a lecture on her previous flights Monday at Boston
University.
Garratt's Planned Route
"Those of us who have seen a relative or a friend die of ALS
typically feel the need to do something, to help find a treatment
for this destructive disease. I certainly want to help.
If I can combine my love of aviation and raise donations and
awareness for ALS at the same time, so much the better," said
Garratt, who at 56 years old has already made two previous trips
around the world. Garratt has made each trip in a single engine
airplane made by Mooney.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Association (AIAA) and the Students for the Exploration and
Development of Space (SEDS) at Boston University arranged for
Garratt to give a presentation and lecture on circumnavigating the
globe. She first flew solo around the world in 2003, in honor of
her mother who died of ALS in 2002. Five years later, Garratt made
a second flight around the world, this time with a co-pilot, Carol
Foy. Together they set a new world record by circumnavigating the
world in 8.5 days in a single engine aircraft. Garratt has written
two books about her travels and raised $328,461 to date in support
of ALS research.
"CarolAnn's effort brings worldwide attention to ALS and the
nearly half a million people who are living with this disease
across the globe. ALS has no prejudice to race, age, gender or
ethnicity. The prognosis is the same worldwide; no effective
treatments and no cure are yet available. The funds raised through
this effort will go toward changing that reality as soon as
possible and bring real hope to ALS patients today," said Steve
Perrin, Ph.D., CEO and chief scientific officer at ALS Therapy
Development Institute.
Using a satellite tracker, Garratt's progress across the globe
can be followed in real-time online and
on
Facebook. She plans to complete this trip in about 12
months, during which time she will give dozens of presentations
about her previous and current flight around the world. All
donations made through her effort will fund research at ALS TDI, a
501c3 nonprofit organization developing effective treatments for
ALS.
More News
From 2023 (YouTube Version): Legacy of a Titan Robert (Bob) Anderson Hoover was a fighter pilot, test pilot, flight instructor, and air show superstar. More so, Bob Hoover was an i>[...]
Get The Latest in Aviation News NOW on Instagram Are you on Instagram yet? It's been around for a few years, quietly picking up traction mostly thanks to everybody's new obsession >[...]
Aero Linx: B-52H Stratofortress The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic spee>[...]
Altimeter Setting The barometric pressure reading used to adjust a pressure altimeter for variations in existing atmospheric pressure or to the standard altimeter setting (29.92).>[...]
"Knowing that we play an active part in bettering people's lives is extremely rewarding. My team and I are very thankful for the opportunity to be here and to help in any way we ca>[...]