The successful and well-attended Fund an Angel Cocktail Reception was held at the Wynn on Oct. 11, in conjunction with NBAA’s 2017 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE).

“We’re so grateful to the business aviation community, gathered in Las Vegas this week, for their generosity, and their enthusiastic support for CAN’s mission of providing transportation to cancer care centers,” said CAN Executive Director Gina Russo. “Every CAN flight depends on volunteers and donors, and every flight touches the life of a patient. The financial support of NBAA members at this annual event makes these flights possible.”

This year, organizers revised the format of the fundraiser, for convention attendees as well as the companies exhibiting at NBAA-BACE. The new format gives guests the opportunity to network with leaders in the industry, and support CAN’s life-saving mission, all before heading to dinner.

The live and silent auctions that have always been a popular centerpiece of the event began as world-renowned auctioneer “Spanky” Assiter kicked off the live auction, with a bidding war heated up for the first item, a fully-loaded with options,Textron Stampede, 4-passenger,side-by-side off-road vehicle. Valued at $27,670, the Stampede generated a winning bid of $100,000. Textron generously agreed to provide a second Stampede to be given to the 2nd place bidder, who matched the $100,000 bid, doubling the total raised from this popular donation to the auction.

Some of other items auctioned included a two-day pilot upset recovery course from Flight Research, trips to Jackson Hole and Zihuatanejo in Mexico, airline miles from American and Hawaiian airlines and a VIP trip for four to the American Music Awards – to name but a few.

“We were so excited to see so much energy and passion at this very important fundraiser,” said Cheryl Padilla, NBAA Vice President, Conventions Administrative Affairs. “The new format proved to be popular with attendees, successful in raising funds for CAN’s critical mission and a wonderful way to for people to start their evening.”

CAN’s focused and sole mission is to help cancer patients access the best possible treatment, by arranging free air travel to specialized care facilities aboard business aircraft. In September, CAN made its 54,000th flight serving a cancer patient; in December, the organization will celebrate its 36th year in operation.

“Business aviation is a community that gives back, and that values opportunities to share our passion,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “This event, and CAN’s decades of work planning humanitarian flights on business aircraft, allow us to do both. We’re very pleased with the success of this year’s event.”

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The auction beneficiary, Corporate Angel Network, arranges free transportation for cancer patients to specialized treatment by using the empty seats on corporate jets.  Since its first flight in 1981, CAN, a 501(c)(3) organization, with Public Charity status, has provided more than 50,000 flights for adults and children whose best treatment options are often thousands of miles from home.  Thanks to 500 major corporations who participate, including half of the Fortune 100, volunteers and a small staff are able to coordinate the medical travel needs of cancer patients with the flight activity of participating corporations resulting in up to 250 patient flights each month.