Here’s how you can participate in LifeFlight of Maine’s largest fundraising event of the year
BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - Crossing the state to save lives.
LifeFlight of Maine, Maine’s only air ambulance service, has been delivering ICU level care to patients in need since 1998.
Summer is the busiest season for the nonprofit.
“Usually in about 12 minutes they can be off the ground and going to the patient,” said Peter Cartmell, director of operations at LifeFlight of Maine.
More than 780 patients were transported in the months of June, July, and August 2024.
On average, a patient was transported, either by land or air, every 2.8 hours.
“As the outlying hospitals lose capability and capacity, it becomes even more critical to have a function like LifeFlight,” Cartmell said.
The service is there 24/7 for those facing critical illness or injury.
“In order to get patients to the care that they need in a timely manner – it would almost be impossible without the aircraft and crews that perform this vital mission," he added.
Lauren Lamberson knows all too well what it means to have a second chance of life.
She was just five years old when she and her family had to be rescued after a plane crashed upon landing on Kezar Lake in Western Maine in 2007.
“LifeFlight picked me up at the landing zone, and then I was flown to the Portland Jetport because there were no helipads on Maine Med yet. Then I was taken by ambulance again to the hospital,” she explained.
While she has no recollection of that day, she says she’s forever grateful for the team who rescued her and her family.
Now 23, and standing next to the helicopter she was transported in, Lauren is giving back to the organization that was there for her on her worst day.
She joined the LifeFlight Foundation as an intern and now works full-time as a Development Associate.
“It’s amazing. I feel grateful every day to be working here, not only feeling like I am giving back but also meeting people who have had similar experiences and meeting other patients and having that opportunity to connect and bond with them in a way most other employees can’t necessarily do because they haven’t had that patient experience like I’ve have,” Lamberson said.
Lauren, along with other ‘grateful patients’ and countless others, will be participating in Cross for LifeFlight - LifeFlight of Maine’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
Funds raised through the month of August through the Cross for LifeFlight help keep them going all year long. The goal this year is to raise $200,000.
Sarah Smiley will be participating as well. She’ll be tracking all her outdoor activities that she does in August.
“Last year, I told my husband that I was going to do the Cross for LifeFlight, and I said however many miles you fly on your nightshift tonight, that’s how many miles I will commit to doing Cross for LifeFlight. For the Cross, I usually walk, run, or golf,” she said.
While she did not ‘cross’ 600 miles, she encouraged others to support the mission.
“For me, it showed what we are doing this for,” Smiley added.
You can participate by doing any outdoor activity like walking, biking, hiking, swimming, or paddling.
You’ll log your miles and raise funds to help LifeFlight continue their lifesaving missions.
Click here to register.
Click here to donate.
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