LifeLine Pilots Reports Record of Mission Flights--Nonprofit Expands Free Non-Emergency Medical Flights to Help Access Care Far from Home

(Peoria, IL), July 17, 2025 - LifeLine Pilots marked a record-breaking year, completing 1,098 flights which is an 18.3% increase from the prior year and a 690% increase over the past five years.
For more than four decades, the Midwest nonprofit's volunteer pilots have flown a total of more than 6.9 million miles and completed over 12,000 mission flights, all with a 100% safety record. Their continued growth reflects the profound impact of providing free non-emergency medical flights to help individuals access essential care.

When faced with a medical diagnosis, people often discover that the care they need is far from home. Distance can become a barrier that delays, or even prevents, getting timely care. Thanks to the generosity of volunteer pilots who donate their time, expertise, and use of private aircraft, LifeLine Pilots can coordinate safe and convenient flights at no cost to passengers.

"We envision a world where every person has equal access to transportation for health care," says Lindsey Kerr, Executive Director of LifeLine Pilots. "Our role is to help by coordinating free, non-emergency air travel through volunteer pilots for passengers with medical needs far from home."

LifeLine Pilots has been able to help hundreds of individuals access the care they need, at no cost, during the past year. A few of those passenger stories include:
• A woman, and her faithful service dog, who traveled to have a device surgically implanted to manage her rare brain condition
• A couple who spent Easter Sunday in the air so the husband could receive treatment for a lung condition at one of the nation's leading hospitals
• Parents and their toddler, diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, flew to a pediatric cardiology center for a pre-operative consultation
• A mother and daughter, both battling cancer, received treatment at the same center

Each LifeLine Pilots flight represents real-life stories of hope, healing, and the power of compassionate volunteer pilots. To learn more, apply for a flight, become a volunteer pilot, or donate, call 1-800-822-7972 or visit www.lifelinepilots.org

###

Postal Address:
4507 N. Sterling Ave, Suite 402
Peoria, IL 61615

Press Contact:
Andrea Pietrowsky
andrea@lifelinepilots.org

Since 1981, LifeLine Pilots (LLP) has provided no-cost air transportation for financially distressed passengers with medical and humanitarian needs. For more than four decades, our volunteer pilots have flown 6.9 million nautical miles and more than 12,000 missions with a 100% safety record. Missions are facilitated for babies through senior citizens. Headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, LLP currently serves patients living in or traveling to the following 10 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The organization is a 501(c)(3) charity that is privately funded by individuals, corporations, and foundations. To learn more, call 1-800-822-7972 or visit www.lifelinepilots.org.

This release was published on openPR.