FDN — FOUNDATION / NON-PROFIT

Medical Travel & Lodging Assistance

Miracle Flights, Angel Flight network, Mercy Medical Angels, RMHC

Award

Free flights, ground travel vouchers, lodging

Deadline

Rolling; apply 10–14 days before travel

Award type

In-kind support

Focus

Patient & family support

Four routes to distant specialist care. Miracle Flights provides free commercial airline tickets for children 17 and under plus parents, requiring a confirmed appointment, medical clearance, income at or below 370% of federal poverty guidelines, and 14+ days' notice. Angel Flight regional charities fly patients free in small aircraft with volunteer pilots, requiring a physician release and at least 5 business days' notice — these are regional, so use the one covering your state. Mercy Medical Angels provides gas cards, Uber and Lyft vouchers, bus and train tickets, and flights for appointments 50+ miles away. Ronald McDonald House provides lodging near children's hospitals, free or for a small suggested donation, requested through the treating hospital's social work team.

Why it's in this index

Barth syndrome care is concentrated in a small number of specialist centres, so travel is a recurring cost for most families rather than an occasional one.

Who can apply

Varies by program: age limits (Miracle Flights: 17 and under), income verification (Miracle Flights, Mercy Medical Angels, some Angel Flights), distance rules (Mercy: 50+ miles; some RMHC Houses).

How to apply

Each program takes online requests; Ronald McDonald House goes through hospital social work.

Links & downloads

Miracle Flights ↗Angel Flight ↗Mercy Medical Angels ↗Ronald McDonald House Charities ↗