Dr. John Mendelsohn, President
of M.D. Anderson,
sporting his new Angel Flight jacket—with Bo
Hunter, AFSC Pilot of the Year (left) |
On January 15, 2005,
the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
hosted Angel Flight South Central for a luncheon honoring
Kathy Broussard and the Houston Ground Angels as well
as AFSC's Pilot of the Year—Bo Hunter. The luncheon
boasted a high turnout of local Houston Ground Angels
and their spouses, along with AFSC officers and staff
membes from the Addison office.
Ed Gerhardt, AFSC's new Director of
its Houston Office, organized the luncheon along with
M.D. Anderson President Dr. John Mendelsohn and his
staff. Bror "Pete" Peterson, longtime Angel
Flight supporter and Ground Angel, led the invocation.
Kirk Bell, AFSC President, gave a brief overview of
the organization, followed by a moving video presentation
about Angel Flight produced by AFSC pilot John Littlefield.
Butch Smith, Chairman of AFSC's Executive Board, presented
Hunter with his award as 2004 Pilot of the Year. Executive
Director Sarah Riehm awarded the 2004 Volunteer of
the Year to Kathy Broussard.
Dr. Mendelsohn gave the keynote address
to the crowd, with the bottom line message—"Stop
smoking!" He said that more than 30% of cancer
deaths could be prevented by that one vital step that
everyone can and should take.
As head of M.D. Anderson, Mendelsohn
is widely recognized as the leading figure in cancer
treatment and prevention. Newsweek recently
named M.D. Anderson as top cancer treatment facility
in the country. Well over half of all AFSC's Angel
Flights bring patients in and out of M.D. Anderson's
tratment facility. A heartfelt "Thank you!"
was extended to Dr. Mendelsohn and his staff for hosting
this wonderful event. |
