Saab Automobile USA Donates Saab SUV to Angel Flight West to Support Access to Medical Care for Those in Need

SANTA MONICA,Calif., Oct. 9  /PRNewswire/ -- As part of a national partnership between Air Charity Network (ACN) and Saab Automobile USA, Saab has donated a 2008 9-7X 5.3i SUV to Angel Flight West (AFW) in order to provide necessary ground transportation to AFW's passengers. Angel Flight West serves people in need by arranging free flights for access to health care and other humanitarian purposes. Additionally, AFW support staff will use this vehicle for disaster relief planning and regional promotion.

"This generous donation from Saab will greatly help us increase the awareness of Angel Flight West's service throughout the Western United States," says AFW Chief Executive Officer Michael Nanko. "It is a magnificent vehicle that provides our patients, passengers and staff with a safe and comfortable way to travel when we are not in the air."

Since its inception in 1983, AFW has relied on the contributions of both pilot and non-pilot volunteers to help people in need through this unique service.  Currently, there is an AFW "mission" flight in the air every hour across the 13 western states that AFW covers.  AFW helps people face challenges with access to health care for anything from cancer to rare diseases, to other compelling situations such as transporting sick kids to camp, and blood and organ transfers.

AFW has flown more than 30,000 missions to date. During Hurricane Katrina, angel flight missions were second only to the U.S. Military in number of missions flown. For many AFW passengers, children and adults alike, an angel flight is literally the difference between life and death. "Angel Flight West volunteers and supporters truly 'give hope wings' every day," Nanko continues. "Our pilots donate their planes, time and all costs related to flying patients to their destinations. Without our pilots, who have a passion to fly and compassion to help others, we would not exist."

"Air Charity Network provides a crucial service to people in need, and Saab is proud to support their efforts," says Saab Automobile USA General Manager Steve Shannon. "Saab customers are traditionally very socially responsible, likewise so is Saab. By partnering with Angel Flight West, we can give back to the community in a way that complements our aircraft heritage."

Saab of Santa Monica will be delivering the Saab 9-7X to the Angel Flight West Region to support this relationship. Saab will also include ACN in its marketing activities, including the agency name, logo and contact information on Saab sales promotion materials. For more information about Angel Flight West, visit http://www.angelflightwest.org/. To learn about Saab, visit http://www.saabusa.com/. 

Angel Flight West