Local Pilot Takes To Skies To Help Sick Patient

Local Pilot Takes To Skies To Help Sick Patient

Sky's Is The Limit For Angel Flight West

Christine Dinh - ABC23 East Bakersfield Reporter

UPDATED: 8:52 am PST December 4, 2009

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- When it comes to some local pilots helping sick patients get to their doctor's appointments or surgeries, the sky's the limit.

Celeste Puentes of East Bakersfield may seem like a healthy 21-year-old, but six years ago she was on the verge of death. She lay in a coma for more than a month after her kidneys suddenly shut down.

"You know, when you're 14 you want to go out and have fun with your friends, but you can't because you have to be in dialysis in your house. It's sad," said Puentes.

In 2005 she received a kidney transplant. A child born to fieldworker parents, she cannot afford to get to Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto for her appointments. But Thursday she had a biopsy appointment she couldn't miss.

Meanwhile, downtown, Bob Downs worked in his office at the county engineering services department. But midway through his day he had another calling, thanks to Angel Flight West, a nonprofit organization in which pilots volunteer to fly seriously ill patients to their medical appointments, which they would otherwise not be able to get to.

In an instant the paths of two strangers cross as they meet for the first time.

"Hi, I'm Celeste," said Puentes.

"I'm Bob. Ready to fly?" said Downs.

"Sure," said Puentes.

Downs is one of nearly a dozen local Angel Flight West pilots. "It is a good feeling. It allows pilots to do what they love doing best while helping patients," said Downs.

"I think they have sweet hearts. You know, because they are voluntarily helping somebody else," said Puentes.

Two and a half hours hours later they landed.

Puentes said this encounter will last a lifetime.

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