Throughout February WNED|WBFO is recognizing everyday citizens of Western New York who are doing amazing things in their communities. Our “Making a Difference” project emphasizes the importance of volunteerism and encourages others to lend a helping hand. Here is the story of a community champion who is making a difference.
“Alright, right on gulf and hold shore to two, four with you…two-delta-Charlie. What’d you think? Cool, isn’t it?”
Joe DeMarco is a pilot and the founder of Wings Flights of Hope, a non-profit group that flies people in need of medical treatment to their destination free of charge.
“Twelve years ago I was invited to go on a flight, and I really didn’t understand much about what we were doing,” said DeMarco. “We were just picking up a family. It was like 'Wow, what a difference we made for this family, taking that burden off. They don’t have to worry about how they are going to get there, they don’t have to worry about the germs, they don’t have to worry about the expense.' And from that moment on, I started flying patients where they needed to go and places where they can get better."
DeMarco has clocked thousands of hours as a volunteer pilot for people like Jennifer and Adam DeLang, whose young son, Jonah, receives treatment for neuroblastoma in New York City. But with Jonah’s fragile immune system, boarding a commercial flight is not an option. DeMarco’s program is the perfect answer.
“It’s amazing to be that selfless and help people because it truly saves lives, and that’s huge,” said Jennifer DeLang.
Her husband, Adam, added, “It allows us to support Jonah in his fight because they are supporting us in our family’s fight.”
DeMarco does not charge his passengers. Instead he’s built a crew of more than 20 volunteer pilots and fundraises to make money to cover the costs of fuel and maintenance.
“Today is our big annual barbeque, which raises a lot of funds for WINGS. But the best thing that comes out of this event is the awareness,” said DeMarco.
Many of those he’s helped return for the barbecue to support the cause and to thank DeMarco for caring. Tara Gabel was there because DeMarco flew her little girl for treatment when they needed help the most.
“They could be traveling to Florida all the time, or the Bahamas, and here he is on a plane, on Valentine’s Day, no less, taking us where we needed to go to help her. It just was so overwhelming because they’re just wonderful,” said Gabel. “He’s a wonderful person.”
Others sid there’s a lesson to be learned from DeMarco and the difference he makes with each family he supports. For DeMarco, though, it’s as simple as knowing what’s important in life.
You might say, Joe DeMarco is an Angel, complete with wings.
“Well, it’s made me appreciate the things that most people take for granted,” says DeMarco. “You know, most people don’t think about sickness or any kind of problems unless it affects them or their family, but when you see it every day, it makes you change your whole outlook on life and what’s really important. And I mean you don’t have anything if you don’t have your health.”
Listen to WBFO throughout February for more stories of people who are Making a Difference in Western New York.
You can find out more online at wned.org/makingadifference.
