NATIVE AIR AND HAVASU REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PARTNER IN FLIGHT FOR A CAUSE PROGRAM TO BENEFIT RIVER CITIES
UNITED WAY

Lake Havasu City, Ariz.   …  July 1, 2010 … Native Air, a provider of air medical services throughout Arizona, announced today that Havasu Regional Medical Center was named a recipient of its Flight for a Cause fundraising program, whereby the company supports local charities, affiliates and organizations within the communities it serves.

Under the program, Native Air stated it would donate $10 for each air medical transport completed throughout Arizona during the months of July, August and September 2010.  Flights include those flown from all Native Air’s 18 helicopter and three fixed wing aircraft bases located throughout the state.  These bases are located in Mesa (2), Chandler, Gilbert, Casa Grande, Parker, Lake Havasu, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Show Low (2), Payson, Globe, Kearny, Deer Valley (2), Whiteriver and Springerville and employ about 250.

As part of the program and partnership, Havasu Regional Medical Center was able to choose a local charity it deemed fit to receive funds raised and selected River Cities United Way.
An event to kick off this fundraising effort was held on Thursday, July 1, 2010 at Havasu Regional Medical Center, 101 Civic Center Lane, Lake Havasu City.  Representatives from Native Air, Havasu Regional Medical Center and River Cities United Way were in attendance. 

“Flight for a Cause is an exciting partnership for Lake Havasu and surrounding areas.  Native Air sees the need to put resources back into the communities they serve. It is exciting that we will have some badly needed additional dollars to serve citizens in our community.  In these difficult times, we need help to ensure our citizens have their basic needs met.” said Gene Apedaile, president and CEO of the River Cities United Way.

John Cole, director of business development at Native Air, added:  “Our Flight for the Cause program has proved to be extremely gratifying; we continue to work with charities throughout the various communities we serve as a way for our company to give back as needed.  United Way is dedicated to bettering the communities it reaches, and River Cities United Way supports those throughout Arizona through its commitment to education, income and health.  We are proud to be part of this initiative.”

Native Air’s Flight for the Cause program continues its focus on community involvement and social responsibility.  In January 2010, Native Air raised $15,000 to benefit Gracie Lee Haught Children’s Memorial Fund and in May 2009, it donated nearly $15,000 to the Phoenix Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

Native Air continues its focus on community involvement and social responsibility with initiatives related to its Flight for a Cause fundraising program.  In May 2009, Native Air donated nearly $15,000 to the Phoenix Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® from its Flight for the Cure program, which ran from December 2008 through February 2009.

About Native Air

Native Air provides air medical services throughout Arizona.  With 18 bases in the state, Native Air has been providing medical transport services to local communities for more than 12 years.  Native Air’s helicopter and airplane bases in Arizona include those in Mesa (2), Chandler, Gilbert, Casa Grande, Parker, Lake Havasu, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Show Low (2), Payson, Globe, Kearny, Deer Valley (2), Whiteriver and Springerville.  For more information, please visit www.omniflight.com/nativeair. 

About Havasu Regional Medical Center

Havasu Regional Medical Center is a licensed 181-bed acute-care facility fully accredited by The Joint Commission.   Providing 24-hour emergency services, it is also a state-certified ALS Base Hospital, authorizing medical direction and support of pre-hospital care providers, fire department paramedic and ambulance personnel.  The facility offers a full complement of patient-centered, community hospital and regional referral services in most major medical disciplines, including an on-campus inpatient rehabilitation facility.  More than 100 affiliated physicians and allied health professionals comprise the medical staff and represent a broad cross-section of specialty areas.  More information can be found on its website at www.havasuregional.com.

For more information contact:
Susan J. Lewis
972-407-4245
susan.lewis@omniflight.com