Lorraine Simpson, the Cityline TV Travel Expert and Travel Personality, has partnered with Give A Mile – a non-profit initiative that provides flights for loved ones to be together during times of critical illness, terminal illness, palliative care, or hospice.
Founded by Kevin Crowe, Give A Mile is a dedicated group of volunteers who believe strongly in the power and importance of being with family at the end of life, and their goal is to help connect families who cannot afford travel.
Families are connected through crowdfunded flights purchased with donated frequent flier milers, travel loyalty points, and cash. Donations cover round-trip flights, travel fees, and taxes.
“Partnering with this amazing cause means the world to me,” explains Simpson. “I know full-well the difficultly people face when trying to see their loved ones who are suffering. I will never forget my husband dying: we all rushed home to be with him on December 18, 2005, leaving me broke as a single mother of four, so I can totally relate.”
“So many people are sitting on unused airline points that may just expire or go to waste and donating just 1000 of these will have a positive impact on families all around the world.”
Here are some quick facts with Give A Mile since it launched: Provided more than 740 flights; raised more than 24 million miles, and connected families across 150 countries.
“Give A Mile has provided more than 740 flights of compassion across all continents but Antarctica, and they have continued to provide flights during COVID-19, working with recipients to ensure compliance with health regulations,” says Simpson.
Simpson adds, “The number of flights provided had increased significantly every year since the organization’s founding in 2013 but slowed slightly in 2020 due to the pandemic. Give A Mile provided 90 flights in 2020 compared to 123 in 2019. Their goal is 110 in 2021.”
Crowe experienced the power of visits from friends and family first-hand during the passing of his close friend Ryan Westerman. Ryan had terminal brain cancer and relished such visits from loved ones as he neared his end of life.
Crowe, who serves as a technology executive in Calgary, started Give A Mile to make sure other patients could experience the same connection with family no matter their financial status.
“Being with a loved one at the end of life is one of the most meaningful experiences. We want to provide flights for those who do not have the means to make that trip,” says Crowe. “It’s already such a difficult situation — providing the flight gives the patient and family one less thing to worry about.”
He adds, “This is really about giving the gift of a final goodbye. All of us have lost someone we love and can relate to that, but I think it’s resonating even more with COVID because so many of us are not able to be with our loved ones in the same way.”
Give A Mile is deeply touching many people’s lives.
“My sons and grandson have not been under the same roof with me for eleven years. Give A Mile made it possible. The public and their generosity made it possible,” says Margaret, a terminally ill cancer patient. “It was incredible. The entire week was the most profound, powerful, loving week. Sitting next to my son, just chatting instead of having to text message all the time — having my grandson snuggle up to me and just talk. I was able to give him pointers for the future. That’s such a gift.”
Tammy Dyson, social work consultant at Vancouver Home Hospice, says Give A Mile is an incredible initiative.
“Give A Mile is a phenomenal resource and a true gift for our palliative clients who often experience more struggle and hardship than positive surprises,” she says. “This program has allowed a very private and quiet gentleman the opportunity to say goodbye to his family in Africa — an opportunity that he and his healthcare team never thought possible. Deep gratitude to the Give A Mile program and to its donors for such a gift that means more to our clients than we may ever realize.”
If you have even a few Airline points from any airline consider donating them to “Give a Mile” and help someone say a last goodbye, meet a lost love done or just fly to get the treatment they need but is not available in their location. There are so many reasons and your points will certainly be put to excellent use!
