Flying Hope: LifeLine Pilots Connects Hoosiers to Life-Saving Medical Care, One Flight at a Time

In the world of non-emergency medical care, the journey to healing often begins long before a patient enters a hospital. For Indiana residents facing long-distance travel for treatment, that journey can feel overwhelming—both emotionally and financially. That’s where LifeLine Pilots comes in, offering more than just a seat on a plane—they offer hope, at no cost. 

Since 1981, LifeLine Pilots has coordinated free air transportation for people in need, thanks to a passionate network of volunteer pilots. These pilots donate their time, aircraft, and fuel to fly patients to essential medical appointments far from home. The organization’s mission is clear: ensure that distance and finances are never barriers to care.

At the helm of this life-changing work is Lindsey Kerr, Executive Director of LifeLine Pilots. Since joining the organization in 2019, Lindsey has led an ambitious expansion—growing the number of annual flights by an astounding 500 percent, from just over 200 to more than 1,100 flights per year. Her team is now working toward a goal of flying 2,000 passengers annually by 2028, across a 10-state service area that includes Indiana.

“Indiana accounts for nearly 15 percent of our total flights,” Kerr shared. “Last year alone, we provided $259,160 in free flights to Indiana patients.”

The Greatest Need: Cancer Treatment

While LifeLine Pilots helps with a variety of non-emergency needs—such as second opinions, specialist appointments, and transplant care—cancer treatment is the most common reason patients fly.

“Many people can afford one or two commercial flights,” Kerr explained, “but ongoing treatment, like chemotherapy or clinical trials, requires travel every few weeks. That quickly becomes unaffordable.” That’s where volunteer pilots step in. “There’s never a cost to the passenger, and there’s no limit to how many times we can help.”

A Story of Impact: Deb’s Journey

One of those passengers is Deb, an Indianapolis woman battling pancreatic cancer. For the last 18 months, LifeLine Pilots has flown Deb to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, a thousand miles from her home. Her treatment schedule—three times a year—would be financially impossible without support.

“Like many of our passengers, Deb was balancing work, family, and rising medical costs,” said Kerr. “Our flights gave her access to world-class care while easing the stress of travel. We’re proud to be a small part of her story.” 

Bridging the Transportation Gap 

The American Hospital Association lists transportation as a critical social determinant of health. When travel barriers stand in the way, patients risk missing or delaying care, which can worsen health outcomes—especially in rural areas or underserved communities. 

“Short-distance non-emergency medical transport is available in most places,” Kerr said, “but for people who need to travel 100 to 1,000 miles, affordable options are extremely limited. That’s the gap we fill.”

Flights are customized to the passenger’s location—from the airport closest to home to the one nearest their medical facility—helping reduce both the mental and financial burden of long-distance travel.

How Indiana Healthcare Providers Can Get Involved

Partnering with LifeLine Pilots is simple. Flight requests can be submitted online by the patient, a caregiver, or a healthcare professional. Once submitted, LifeLine Pilots coordinates with the referring physician and matches the patient with a volunteer pilot—keeping in touch every step of the way.

Not sure if a patient qualifies? Call 800-822-7972 to speak with the coordination team. If they can’t help, they’ll share other resources.

Virtual training is available for healthcare and social service teams. Contact LifeLine Pilots to schedule a session tailored to your organization.

The Biggest Challenge? Awareness.

“The number one thing holding us back is that people don’t know we exist,” Kerr said. “Our service is free, but if people haven’t heard about us, they can’t access the help.”

By sharing LifeLine Pilots’ mission within professional, healthcare, and community networks, more Hoosiers can reach life-saving care without financial burden.

Indiana healthcare providers and social workers can refer patients easily via the online flight request form at lifelinepilots.org. Virtual training for care teams is also available.