Helping Cancer Patients Fight Their Battles

The 20th Annual Greater Washington Aviation Open (GWAO), the largest aviation charity event in the Washington DC area, raised a record $140,000 for Corporate Angel Network (CAN), the non-profit that arranges free flights to treatment for cancer patients using empty seats on corporate flights. 

Held on May 5 at Lansdowne Resort in Virginia, tournament attendees included senior leadership from major aviation associations, airlines, aerospace manufacturers, high-level representation from Capitol Hill, and Federal agencies. More than 90 major aviation corporations and associations participated representing 37 states and several countries.

The GWAO tournament has raised more than $1,250,000 for Corporate Angel Network. This year’s Honorary Chairman was Cessna President and CEO Jack Pelton, who is also a member of Corporate Angel Network’s Board of Directors.

After a day of golf and tennis, participants enjoyed the Victory Reception and Awards Banquet featuring a live auction. "Flights of Fancy" around the world travel and resort accommodations were donated by airlines and hotels; these included business-class travel packages to Europe and Asia and first-class tickets and packages to US destinations and resorts, and a type rating in a Cessna Mustang Jet donated by Flight Safety International.

CAN participating corporations were well represented among the donors and bidders. A check for $140,000 was presented to CAN by the GWAO Board of Directors. "Every year the support for CAN by the aviation community grows stronger," said GWAO Tournament Director Paul Bollinger, "and this year, our 20th anniversary, proved to be the greatest ever."

"The funds raised here and donated to Corporate Angel Network are instrumental in our ability to continue to provide and expand our service," said CAN’s Executive Director, Peter Fleiss during the check presentation. "We now fly three times the number of cancer patients we flew just eight years ago. On behalf of the thousands of cancer patients we’ve helped in the past, and the thousands more we will fly in the future, we'd like to thank the entire GWAO tournament committee for the time and exceptional effort they extend, year after year, for an incredible 20 years now, in order to put together this great event."

Hosted yearly by the aviation industry, the Greater Washington Aviation Open (GWAO) was established in 1989 by a group of aviation executives as a means for aviation companies to support a worthy cause related to air transportation while enjoying a day of sports and camaraderie. The GWAO has raised more than $1.25 million for CAN over the past 20 years.

FMI: www.gwao.org, www.corpangelnetwork.org