Aviation Industry Event Raises $95,000 For CAN

The Greater Washington Aviation Open, a charity golf event held Monday, May 24 at Lansdowne Resort near Washington, DC, raised $95,000 to benefit Corporate Angel Network, the nonprofit organization that arranges free flights to treatment for cancer patients using empty seats on business flights.

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Senior aviation leaders from numerous associations, airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and a broad range of aviation companies were represented at the event.  The GWAO is the largest aviation charity event in the Washington, DC area. 

In its 22 years, the GWAO has contributed more than $1.5 million to support the charitable work of Corporate Angel Network.  Clay Jones, Honorary Chairman of this year's event and Chairman, President, and CEO of Rockwell Collins said the tournament served two important purposes.

"The most important outcome of the tournament is the much needed support it provides for the Corporate Angel Network, an organization that offers a tremendous service to cancer patients needing to fly for life-prolonging treatment," he said.  "Secondly, this event is an expression of our industry's appreciation to the Corporate Angel Network for demonstrating the important - even lifesaving -- role that business aviation can play in our society."

Peter Fleiss, Executive Director of CAN, said that continued contributions by the GWAO and aviation community make it possible for the organization to expand its programs and build further awareness of the public service contribution of business aviation.  "The effort put in by the GWAO Tournament Committee for an incredible 22 years now makes an important contribution to our operation and the patients we serve," he said.

Paul Bollinger, Tournament Director of the GWAO, said he was heartened by the turnout.  "Given the state of the economy, the aviation community really put its heart on the line by coming out in such great numbers to support the GWAO," he said.  "The success of the GWAO is a testimony to the industry's tremendous support for the important work performed by the Corporate Angel Network on behalf of cancer patients all across the country."

FMI: www.corpangelnetwork.org