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Robbie Thomas -
Founder/President
OUR VISION
MAIDEN
FLIGHT was created from the hearts of women who have
committed to dedicating their lives, time and talents to
alleviating some of the burden and stress, single women and
men will undergo once they have been diagnosed with cancer,
with a special program for the children of single parents
who are in hospice care. As the sole provider, the
financial and emotional pressure can be overwhelming. The
Founder of the organization is a recent survivor and along
with the initial Board Members are women who have
individually fought their own personal battle with this
life-threatening disease or assisted close friends and
relatives. They know intimately the emotional stress and
financial burden which accompanies this diagnosis.
OUR MISSION
An international
benevolent organization dedicated to providing financial
assistance and practical day-to-day assistance for low
income, under and uninsured single women and men as they
battle cancer and its challenges alone.
COMPELLED TO ACT
For many
years, as a staff member of the Make-a-Wish Foundation, I
worked side-by-side with a group of amazing women. Day to
day I interacted with the family members, friends and
children with whom the organization served. It was hard for
me to watch as the children battled with horrific disease.
They were always so courageous and surrendered. In my free
time away from the office, I also volunteered for the
organization. In this role, I held the hands of many parents
as they helplessly sat by the bedsides of their children.
Smiles came over their faces as they watched the community
come together and give their support to grant their child's
wish.
As fate would
have it, after a sharp pain in my side led to many medical
tests, ironically... I too heard the words no one wants to
hear or ever thinks they will hear from their doctor, "i\m
sorry, the diagnose is cancer." I summoned the
thoughts and remembered the hugs of the many children I have
spent time with... children whose lives altered my very own
thoughts of life and its meaning. As a single woman, I was
devastated by the financial impact of the surgery,
medications and treatment. Family and friends rushed to my
side and carried me along, emotionally, financially and
spiritually.
During the
months of recovery, I realized that God had blessed me with
an amazing support system, though family and friends. As I
spent time talking with other cancer survivors during my
hospital visits, I realized that an overwhelming number of
single women and single mothers were going through their own
personal battles with this disease alone. My heart was
broken as I listened to some of their stories. In addition,
I had an opportunity to speak with children who were in the
midst of watching their mothers fight for her life and
ultimately their lives. It was during this time I made a vow
to find a way to be THEIR support system.
This vow... this
support system has come to fruition in the form of
Maiden Flight.
It was challenging
holding the hands of a parent with a sick child... but it is even
more challenging holding the hands of a child who has a sick mother.
The fear and terror in their eyes when the thought of losing their
mom comes over them is how and why I feel
COMPELLED TO ACT.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robbie Thomas
Founder and President
Lisa Agbalaya
Born and raised in
Southern California, the entertainment capital of the world,
Lisa was no stranger to this industry. She enjoyed a
successful modeling career which placed her on runways for
top designers around the world. In addition she worked with
top celebrities managing and promoting their West Coast
offices. It was during this time she met and married the man
of her dreams and had four children.
In each person
life joy and tragedy co-exit. Suddenly, without warning, her
best friend was struck with cancer. It was one of the most
horrifying experiences of her life.
"I had to watch
while my best friend lost many of her dreams, her health and
the ability to have children, her livelihood and almost her
life".
This experience left her with a strong
desire to help other women maintain their dignity and their
home while fighting for their lives.
Mischele Hines
As a child, this
San Diego native longed to become the next Joan Embry and
work at the world famous San Diego Zoo. After earning her
degree in Liberal Arts, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue
another one of her passions, the entertainment industry.
Michelle combined her love for show biz with her natural
affinity for children. She began working as a Talent
Representative helping families with show biz aspirations.
Michelle's love
for animals grew stronger over the years. She wanted to get
her 30-pound Tabby Cat named Ross into a movie. What she
found out was that the average household pet is rarely given
an opportunity to be in the movies. Michelle combined her
entertainment experience with her passion for pets and
expanded her business. She ultimately want to have a path
pet dogs to become actors, and is on the crusade to open up
the entertainment business to family pets. Michelle and her
business partner Stuart have built Le PAWS into Hollywood's
most recognizable talent agency for dogs.
After watching
many of her female friends struggle with life threatening
illnesses and almost lose everything, she felt drawn to
their cause. Michelle believes strongly in women's charities
and her close friendship with Maiden Flight's President/CEO
has presented an opportunity for her to channel her time,
energy and talent.
Nathalie Dufresne-Smith
Nathalie Dufresne-Smith
has spent much of the past decade organizing charity events
that bring in stars from the world of music, sports and
film. He passion to improve the lives of the underprivileged
is but one facet of her life.
Born in
Montreal, Canada, Nathalie met and married her husband of
20+ years, Adrian Smith, lead guitarist in the world's
largest heavy rock metal outfit, Iron Maiden. Due to
Nathalie' academic knowledge and expertise in the field of
Entertainment Law, coupled with her music industry
experience, she became Adrian's A&R Representative and
c-managed his career with Sanctuary Management. In addition,
she provided counsel on recording and publishing deals,
booked personal appearances and live performances, which she
then turned into lucrative tour opportunities throughout
Europe.
Nathalie's
workaholic attitude also led her to finding her calling -
charity fundraising - a vocation which beautifully
integrates her social skills and professional drive to
create and implement events that raise hundreds of thousand
s of dollars for needy causes. Her heart lies with the
undeserved and uninsured single women and single parents who
are battling this disease alone. She is committed to
standing alongside the other Maiden Flight board members and
staff to see the organization grow into a true safe haven
for all.
Sonji Arrington-Shepherd
Journalist major
from Ohio State University, Mrs. Shepherd went on to become
a freelance writer for community-based newspapers up until
she decided to relocate to the West Coast. The mid-west
transplant firmly planted her roots in the Mecca of the
West, "the entertainment industry". She worked for many
years with such companies as DeMann Entertainment and
Maverick Music Group.
Alongside her
writer-director husband, she has served as executive
producer on many independent film projects. Her most
prestigious title to date remains that of wife and mother of
three. Outside of her dedication to her family, her most
rewarding work thus far has been coordinating a youth
program that allows her to nurture not only the individual
growth of the children involved but she is able to help
strengthen the bond between parent and child. It is
primarily this experience that led her to Maiden Flight.
ADVISORY
BOARD MEMBERS
Ayke Agus
www.aykeagus.com
An
internationally acclaimed concert violinist and pianist,
Ayke Agus was born in Indonesia of Chinese, Dutch and
Javanese descent, began her concert career at the age of 7
on the violin and piano.
She has been known as the last collaborator / accompanist / assistant of 17
years standing for the most world renowned violinist of the
20th century, Jascha Heifetz.Ayke graduated from USC with a Master’s Degree in Music Performance. She
has performed in concerts with Jascha Heifetz and Gregor
Piatigorsky, the famed Russian Cellist. She served on the
Piano Faculty for 10 years at USC.
Ms. Agus regularly participates in chamber music festivals in the States and
Europe, and her annual concert tours in Europe and Asia
always bring high praise for her recital performances as
both violinist and pianist.
Most recently she was a recipient of an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humane
Letters from Daemen College, in Buffalo New York, after her
commencement address in May of 2007.A member of the Pasadena Symphony, and the California Philharmonic, she
holds master classes in the States and Europe, in the “Art
of Chamber Music and Collaboration”.
Her book “Heifetz,
As I Knew Him”, published in 2002 by Amadeus Press, is now
in its 4th printing and has been acclaimed as the
most haunting memoirs of a musical legend (according to a
New York Times Journalist).
Ayke teaches at the Pasadena Public High Schools violin as a
mentor volunteer.Ms. Agus is a recent cancer survivor and since 2006 she has served as a
Music For Healing Volunteer at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los
Angeles, where each patient in their hospital rooms and the
nurses at their stations have access to her music. Upon
meeting Ms Thomas and discussing the challenges single
women/men and single parents have during this battle, Ms. Agus decided to join forces with Maiden Flight and is now an
active member of the Advisory Board of Directors. She
believes that there is strength in numbers and together they
can make a difference.
Judy Lewis
Founder of the Make-a-Wish
Foundation of Greater Los Angeles
Judy Lewis
enjoyed careers in education, marketing and real estate in
California's San Gabriel Valley before a unique opportunity
[resented itself for her to pursue, a two decade experience
in the non-profit arena.
In 1983 Judy
and her husband learned of fledging organization in Phoenix,
Arizona, called the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The couple was
taken by its mission to fulfilling the wishes of children
with life-threatening illnesses; thee established a chapter
of the organization to serve the children of Los Angeles
County.
Judy served as
President/CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los
Angeles for over 23 years during which time 5000 thousand
wishes were fulfilled to children with life-threatening
illnesses. And hearing of the creation of Maiden Flight her
heart was immediately moved to action by sharing her
knowledge and supporting the Board of Directors, staff and
volunteers as they take on the responsibility of serving the
community in this way.
Kathy Nosek
Kathy Nosek has been in the
wedding, catering and event planning business for more than
16 years. While at Washington State University studying
Hotel Restaurant Management, Kathy was the University’s
Student Catering Manager before graduating and continuing
her education at the Western Culinary Institute in Portland,
Oregon.
After completing her studies, she was hired as Executive
Chef for An International World of Weddings in Oregon, then
purchased the wedding part of the business a year later,
thus becoming the owner and operator of Carousel Catering.
A family move brought her to Utah in 1998 and she sold the
business in Portland. Immediately Kathy joined Deer Valley
Ski Resort in beautiful Park City, Utah, which has rated as
a top three ski resort in North America for 15 consecutive
years by Ski Magazine - and consistently #1 for Food and
Beverage and Service!
Over the next 6
years she helped plan major events such as The World Cup of
Skiing, The 2002 Winter Olympics, The Sundance Film Festival
and more. Additionally, she contracts coordinates corporate
hospitality for SportsMark Management, and has helped
welcome America’s business leaders to The 2002 Winter
Olympics in Park City, The 2004 Summer Games in Athens and,
most recently, The 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, 2006
World Cup Soccer Finals in Germany, 2007 Super Bowl in Miami
and 2007 NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas. Kathy will be
working with SportsMark Management throughout the year as
well as at the Bejing Olympics, in addition to planning
weddings for
a Divine-Occasion.
As fate would
have it, Kathy met Maiden Flight Founder, Robbie Thomas and
her heart was moved to assist the patients and their
children whose lives have been drastically altered due to
this disease. Becoming an Advisory Board Member now holds a
very special place in her heart. She brings her expertise
in the event planning arena to aid Maiden Flight and its
board members as they raise much needed funding and
awareness to this worthy cause.
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TOP 10 THINGS YOUS SHOULD KNOW DURING CANCER TREATMENT
When going
through cancer treatment, there are medical supplies that
make life a little easier. In these top picks I look at the
most needed things needed during cancer treatment. I have
personally used these items in my own care or as a caregiver
of patients with cancer.
1) Shower
Chairs - A must for patients with fatigue! You would besurprised how much energy it takes to stand up in the shower
for 10 minutes, or sit up in a bath tub when you are
fatigued. Shower chairs make bathing easy and
take very
little energy from the patient. If you or your loved one is
experiencing fatigue from cancer treatment, this is a must
have item.
2)
Blanket Support - Recommended for Sensitive Skin From
Radiation Therapy. When areas of the body are treated with
therapy, the skin can become very sensitive. Sometimes even
blankets are irritating. This device will hold the blanket
away from the skin - just enough to keep the warmth of the
blanket. I highly recommend this item!
3)
Inflatable Shampoo Basin - Again, this is a great
product if you are experiencing fatigue, usable wipes are
necessary. From experience I learned to buy them in bulk.
4) Disposable Wipes -
When a patient is
fatigued, vomiting, has diarrhea, disposable wipes are
necessary. From experience I learned to buy them in bulk.
5)
Pill Pulverizer - The Pill Pulverizer allows pills to be
crushed easily, then to put on liquid. This is great for one
who has difficulty swallowing. I also recommend it for
patients who take many pills at once who are having
difficulty swallowing them at once or consecutively. Also
great for radiation patients who have dry mouth, as it is
sometimes difficult to swallow pills with dry mouth. Be sure
to check with your physician before crushing pills, as it
can sometimes alter their effectiveness.
6)
Nosey Cups - I love 'Nosey Cups'.! They allow drinking
while laying down. You don't have to be in upright position!
The7y have area cut out to make room for the nose! Great for
children too!
7) Bed
Tray - This is a must have item! A bed tray gives
versatility to a patient who is in bed. The tray allows room
for drinking, or to read a magazine, have a laptop in bed,
with hands propped. It even has a nice size game playing
space.
8) No Rinse Personal Care
- Sometimes
fatigue is so severe, it is just to tiring to bathe. Or,
surgery doesn't allow bathing yet. This soap doesn't require
rinsing. This is something handy to have around.
9) Good 'N Bed Adjustable Wedge
10) Deluxe Composite Commode
- Diarrhea and nausea are both side effects of chemotherapy.
Many times there is such an urgency that the patient may not
make it to the restroom. Having a bedside commode makes it
much easier. I once was a caregiver to a friend who was very
self conscious to use a bedside commode, so she never used
it. Her husband then hung a sheet from the ceiling around
the commode for her privacy. I think making a private area
around the commode makes it easier for the patient and is
less embarrassing.
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TRIUMPH STORIES
SAM'S SCHOLARSHIP FUND
THESE ARE TWO
DAYS OVER A SPAN OF FIVE YEARS
Samantha Donovan's story
Theses are two
days over a span of five years that my family will never
forget. I want to tell about those two days and all the days
in between. I will try to fill you in on the journey that my
family, and my sister, had to endure. Keep in mind that
there are no words to describe the emotional rollercoaster,
but if you are reading this, you can already relate.
I was in my junior
year at college, our brother Justin was at work and mom and
dad were at the doctor's office with Samantha. She was told
she had a brain tumor. In her 28th year of life, it, a
single mutated cell, had grown into the size of a lemon, on
the left side of her brain. She faced a craniotomy. After
Sam's recovery, life went on as normal. she returned to
teaching her first graders and things seemed fine.
Sam was a
beautiful person whose kindness and gentile spirit touched
everyone who was lucky enough to know her. She gave and gave
and never asked anything in return. A true hero.
After seven
tumors, chemo, MRI's, blood taking, 281 trips to LA for
infusion and a whole lot of fighting Sam lost her battle
with brain cancer on August 7m 2007, in her 35th year of
life, eight days short of entering her 36th. That is the
second day. She is dearly missed and will never be
forgotten.
This scholarship
could not be more fitting to Sam. She would have wanted
nothing more than to help someone, and through this, her
spirit will continue to live in many hearts.
On behalf of the
Donovan Family and Maiden Flight, THANK YOU in advance for
donating to Sam's Scholarship Fund. This fund is a precious
part of Sam's legacy which will live on in the hearts of the
women and children who have been helped and to all who
personally knew her.
If you would like
to donate to Sam's Fund, please make your check or order
money payable to Maiden Flight.
Our address is 827
Hollywood Way, #278
Burbank, CA 91505
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CONTACT US
MAIDEN FLIGHT
Cancer Support Network
827 Hollywood Way, #278
Burbank, Ca 91505
For more information please contact us at
info@maidenflight.net
If you would like to assist us in our
Mission of helping parents and children through the
battle... there are many ways you can make a contribution.
Cash donation click
here
Memorial and Tribute Gifts - please contact us
A transfer of Stock - please contact us
Planned Giving - please contact us
MAIDEN FLIGHT is a 501(c)(3) organization
and charitable contributions are tax deductible in the
United States and many other countries around the world to
the full extent allowed by the law. We can accept donations
in a variety of categories, and we will gladly work with
prospective donors to help meet their philanthropic needs.
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