Our Mission
Children’s Flight of Hope (CFOH) provides flights to specialized medical care for children in need.
For most families, this means we reserve tickets on commercial airlines for the child and one adult companion to travel for treatment. Some families travel once a year, some every three weeks and many have changing needs as their child’s treatment evolves. CFOH arranges private air transportation on a limited basis when verified medically necessary.
Our Commitment & Core Values
We are committed to helping families through the duration of their child’s treatment. We are motivated by the children we serve and maintain our mission focus with the guiding principles of compassion, responsiveness, safety and gratitude.
Lead With Compassion
We are honored to provide hope and healing to those in need and are committed to easing their emotional and financial burdens.
Uphold Trust
Families know they can rely on us to be responsive and empathetic. Doctors and social workers know they can turn to us every time. Donors know we use their gifted funds efficiently and effectively.
Thrive Together
When we partner with dedicated volunteers, donors, social workers, healthcare providers and families, we bring children our very best.
Grow Impact
We recognize endless need and passionately pursue all opportunities that allow us to deepen and enhance our impact.
Show Gratitude & Respect
We honor the challenging journeys of our families and demonstrate deep appreciation for all who help us fly for their lives.
Our History
In 1990, pilot and businessman Al Wethington became aware of some local North Carolina children with serious medical needs. They could be treated at distant hospitals but lacked safe and affordable transportation to access this specialty care. Al used his skills and resources to rally local pilots, medical personnel, and community volunteers to address this need. Within months, Children’s Flight of Hope was off the ground.
CFOH was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1991 and for the first several years, operated a private plane to get children to their treatment. CFOH started booking commercial flights to increase our impact in 2012 and passed the milestone of 100 flights in a year in 2013. Our services gained altitude as support from dedicated donors grew and new partnerships were established with American Airlines in 2016 and Southwest Airlines in 2018. Our founder’s vision has evolved into our current mission with a consistent focus on the children we serve. Whether traveling for a rare disease or a serious injury, we are committed to flying each child for as long as treatment and recovery take, no matter the number of flights. Together, we’ll fly for their lives.
Our Mission and Corporate Partners
Corporate and individual donors make all the difference in our mission to save and enhance lives. Through their generous support, we purchase hundreds of commercial plane tickets each year. In addition, we are proud partners with American Airlines and administer their “Miles for Global Health and Well-Being” international program. Through this program, we provide flights for international children to receive critical care at charitable medical institutions, such as Shriners Hospitals for Children. Our mission has reached new heights with the support of American Airlines.
We are also grateful partners with Southwest Airlines, which makes significant contributions to our travel resources. In addition, when necessary we refer private flight requests to our friends at AeroAngel and appreciate working in tandem with them for the most medically-fragile children to access treatment nationwide.
