2024 Cross for LifeFlight Raises $217,000
Participants in the 2024 Cross for LifeFlight Crossed 5,421 miles throughout the state during the month of August and raised an incredible $217,427 to help Maine’s most critically ill and injured.
On average, participants fundraised about $1,400 each. This was made possible with the help of 1,500 donors who supported participants as they spent the summer hiking, biking, swimming, running, paddleboarding, and taking part in other activities.
Thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s Cross For LifeFlight. Every mile crossed and every dollar raised will be used to keep LifeFlight in the air, equipped and ready to respond to calls for help every day and night of the year.
Each year the Cross for LifeFlight awards the Founder’s Prize to the participants who embody the heart and soul of the event. Given in honor of Jessie Davis, who founded the Islesboro Crossing in 2014, which later grew into the Cross for LifeFlight, the award is presented to participants who exemplify Jessie’s spirit, intention, will, and grit. Recipients also demonstrate a deep passion for LifeFlight’s mission and have achieved significant fundraising success. This year, we have a record four recipients.
Congratulations to the 2024 Founders’ Prize Recipients!
Team Recipient: Team North Haven
Grateful Patient Team Recipient: Joel Russ
Individual Recipient: Molly Lincoln
LifeFlight of Maine Crew Recipient: Melissa Dufault (flight nurse)
Each winner has their own story as to why they chose to become involved in the Cross. However, a common theme runs through all their motivations to trek mile after mile: their drive to help LifeFlight continue its lifesaving mission for years to come.
Team North Haven
Photo Courtesy: Courtney Naliboff
Courtney Naliboff, captain of Team North Haven, says five members of her team are EMTs. A volunteer EMT herself, Courtney says she understands the importance of LifeFlight’s critical care services on an island such as North Haven.
“Many times over my 12 years in community EMS, I’ve seen just how important LifeFlight is to our extremely remote community. North Haven is 12 miles from the mainland, and much further from larger hospitals. When we see the helicopter land on the airstrip, we know our patients will get exceptional care and will get where they need to be as quickly as possible,” said Courtney.
Since 2020, Team North Haven has raised more than $80,000. This year alone, they Crossed more than 1,000 miles. Their Crossing included a 5k swim in Perry’s Creek in Vinalhaven. “I am so proud of Team North Haven and what we have been able to achieve for a cause we care so much about,” said Courtney.
Joel Russ
Joel Russ takes part in the Cross as his way to ensure every person in Maine continues to have access to the ICU-level care they need, when they need it. He learned the importance of this first-hand more than a decade ago.
“Thirteen years ago my daughter-in-law, KC Ford, was a passenger in a small plane that crashed soon after leaving Matinicus Island,” said Joel. “Had it not been for a LifeFlight of Maine emergency helicopter and its capable crew, KC would most likely not have survived,” he said. “As a runner, the Cross for LifeFlight was the perfect self-directed activity to express that gratitude.”
Now, Joel and KC take part in the Cross together every year as part of the Grateful Patient Team. KC is the team captain and a 2023 Founder’s Prize recipient. This August, Joel, who is 80-years-old, ran more than 150 miles.
Molly Lincoln
This year was Molly Lincoln’s fourth time taking part in the Cross for LifeFlight. This summer also marked 40 years since her father suffered a heart attack on Beech Hill Pond. She says emergency services had a hard time reaching him in the remote area, delaying his care. Her father survived, but she believes a service like LifeFlight of Maine would have improved his care and recovery even more.
To help fundraise for LifeFlight, Molly hit the lake in style on her paddleboard. She wore a variety of dresses — including a bridal gown — and other unconventional paddleboarding outfits as she completed her miles.
“It’s incredible to think about how LifeFlight can reach people in those remote locations, ensuring they receive critical help when they need it most. Knowing that such a remarkable service is available gives me even more confidence to explore the great outdoors and enjoy all the adventures this beautiful state has to offer!” Molly said.
Melissa Dufault
Melissa Dufault is a flight nurse at LifeFlight of Maine and participated on the Crew and Company Team. As a flight nurse, Melissa travels across the state bringing care to patients on their worst day. “I chose a goal of 530 miles because it’s roughly the length and width of Maine,” says Melissa, who biked 520 miles and walked another 10 this summer to achieve her goal.
“Supporting LifeFlight is important to me because I truly believe in our mission and I’m lucky enough to be a part of people’s stories when LifeFlight is being dispatched,” she adds.
