Bend Angel Flight pilot completes first mission

Eyal Goldman is owner of Cathy’s Cleaners in Bend but you can add another occupation to his resume: “angel” pilot. And it’s the second job that maybe more rewarding for him.

Goldman recently became one of 1,600 pilots who are part of Angel Flight.

The all-volunteer organization is arranges free, non-emergency air travel for children and adults with serious medical conditions.

For his flight, Goldman flew Ryleigh De La Cruz of Medford back home with her mother from a Portland hospital.

De La Cruz is a 4-year-old girl who suffers with cerebral palsy and is a quadriplegic.

Her mother couldn’t afford transportation and didn’t have any family that could help.

“It’s just fantastic, especially looking back while flying and seeing her laying on her mom’s lap and completely asleep and relaxed,” Goldman said this weekend. “Just knowing you are taking such a hellacious experience of that long drive and being uncomfortable and hospitalized and making it so easy, and especially, for people who truly have a need.”

The whole flight took less than hour, which is a lot quicker than if the family took a medical transport shuttle.

Cathy’s Cleaners sets aside funds as part of its budget for Goldman to fly these missions.

Goldman says he will be doing more missions soon.

To learn more about Angel Flight and its work in Oregon, visit this page on their Website.