The Inspiration Behind Flying for Hope

While working with a hospice organization in the Chicagoland area, Susan A. Worline, M.Ed., Founder and President of Flying for Hope, witnessed firsthand the heartbreaking reality families face when they can’t be with their loved ones during a crisis or at the end of life. Too often, financial hardship makes it impossible for people to travel long distances due to the cost of airfare, car rentals, and accommodations.

In August 2012, Susan received a message from her cousin in Seattle. He had a free round-trip ticket from Southwest Airlines and asked if she could use it, as he was out of town and didn’t want it to go to waste. At the time, she had no personal need and declined. But when he posted the offer again days later, an idea sparked.

Susan called him and encouraged him to donate the ticket to a local hospice. She shared how meaningful such a gift could be, offering someone the chance to say goodbye to a loved one. Weeks later, the hospice called to thank her. They shared a powerful story: a young college student, who hadn’t seen her grandmother in years and couldn’t afford to fly, was given the ticket. She made it in time to spend several precious days with her grandmother before she passed. That experience deeply moved Susan.

From that one simple, generous act, Flying for Hope was born, a mission to bring hope during life’s most urgent moments and to change lives one flight at a time.