Stories of Hope

“I will never forget that day,” said Suzanne Rioch, a retired art/special education teacher. “We were living in Victor at the time, and our house was near a corner. There was a motor vehicle accident involving a truck and a minivan about 500 yards from our house. The minivan occupant…

For Amy and Jonathan Rivera and their newborn son Joniel, Mercy Flight was there when minutes mattered. On Tuesday, August 18, 2020, Amy Rivera, in her thirty-fifth week of pregnancy, went into labor and delivered her son Joniel at Olean General Hospital (OGH). Although babies born prematurely may exhibit symptoms…

Michelle was celebrating Independence Day with her family in Chautauqua County, when high velocity fireworks hurtled toward her. She saw a white flash, and in an instant, her clothing caught fire as the pyrotechnic device hit her and remained in her lap. Within minutes, Michelle was airlifted from the scene…

By Deanna Garwol When Lydia Grossi-Young woke up on June 1, 1990, she had no idea that what occurred next would change her life forever. That morning, Lydia and her friend, then both nursing students, were driving down Route 77 on their way to a summer course when they collided…

By Leah Czerwinski In February of 1997, Molly Saper’s life changed forever. Saper and her friends went to Ellicottville for a weekend ski trip. When they arrived, they decided to walk into town to grab something to eat. During this walk, the Buffalo native was struck by a car. She…

“It means everything to me that Mercy Flight was there to help my newborn son in his time of need. There was great teamwork with Children’s Hospital, and it was a rapid flight that meant the absolute world to our family. We owe so much to Mercy Flight for their…

Nathan Andera has made miraculous strides since an accident in his home back in May of 2017 that nearly took his life. He was just 15-years-old. “He’s come so far, and is still making progress,” says his mother, Cathy. Nathan suffered a critical head injury to the right side of…

Doctors told the family of Calib Wells that he would never be able to see or speak after a traumatic brain injury. “Mercy Flight got him to where he needed to go, and we knew he had a fighting chance,” says Calib’s mother, Theresa. It was September 11, 1998 when…

Maria was just thirteen-years-old when she was camping with family friends eight years ago. A young boy at the campsite discovered a gun and accidentally shot Maria in the leg. The bullet shattered Maria’s femur and pierced her femoral artery, causing life-threatening bleeding to occur. Maria’s sister called 911 and…

Maverick was just 8-months-old when a family dog suddenly bit him, causing serious trauma to the left side of his face and ear. The severity of the bite required immediate facial surgery and specialized care. Maverick and his mother, Erika, were rapidly airlifted by Mercy Flight to the Genesee County…