LifeFlight Foundation Seeks Participants for the Annual Cross for LifeFlight
Swim, Bike, Run, Hike, Paddle or Sail With Us in August to Help Save Lives!
CAMDEN, Maine (July 7th, 2022) – LifeFlight of Maine – the state’s only emergency air ambulance service – is seeking participants in the 2022 Cross For LifeFlight, a statewide, self-led, multi-activity fundraiser that takes place throughout the month of August.
The people who live in and love Maine rely on LifeFlight to quickly cross vast expanses of water and land to deliver ICU-level care to every region of the state. Each year, LifeFlight of Maine transports thousands of critically ill and injured patients, with summer being especially busy due to the influx of seasonal residents and visitors. “Last summer that meant we were transporting eight to ten patients a day, or roughly a transport every two to three hours,” said Kate O’Halloran, LifeFlight Foundation Executive Director.
As a nonprofit, LifeFlight depends on support from individuals, businesses, foundations, and municipalities. The 2022 Cross for LifeFlight aims to raise $400,000 to sustain this critical, lifesaving service in Maine.
Event Background: What was once a rigorous swim across Penobscot Bay had to be modified in 2020 due to the pandemic and was intentionally reimagined in 2021 as the Cross for LifeFlight. Like the LifeFlight mission, the Cross for LifeFlight is statewide and inclusive; open to everyone and every activity— hiking, cycling, swimming, paddling, running, and more! Participants have the flexibility to create their own challenge, on their own or with a team, anytime in the month of August, knowing their sweat equity, combined with fundraising, will help save lives.
Over the past nine years, the Cross for LifeFlight has raised more than $2 million to
● upgrade and standardize LifeFlight’s fleet of helicopters,
● purchase the specialized equipment needed on board,
● fund important clinical education and training programs across the state,
● and enhance the state’s aviation infrastructure.
“Cross adventure possibilities are as broad as the great state of Maine!” said Ashley MacMillan, LifeFlight Foundation Director of Annual Giving. “Participants can enlist a posse of neighborhood dog walkers to form a team, organize a swim or paddle during a family reunion, or add a challenge to a hiking adventure by committing to reach a new peak every weekend in August.” After deciding on the activity, the next step is to ask family and friends to support the Cross, and raise a minimum of $350 per person. The most important thing is to have fun-safely.
This summer, participants also have the option to be part of a family-friendly hike in Hope on August 4th or a sunset kayak to Fort Gorges in Portland Harbor on August 21st. These outings are first-come, first-served, so participants should secure spots when they register for the Cross.
One of the primary goals of the Cross is creating a sense of community through engagement and connection. Participants are encouraged to log their activities and miles on the event website and submit photos for a contest held in partnership with Maine Magazine.
In keeping with a LifeFlight of Maine theme, the event is proud to partner with various Maine based craftsmen, organizations and companies such as Liberty Graphics, Viking Lumber, L.L. Bean, Seadog Brewing Company, Rogue Life of Maine and more.
To learn more about Cross for LifeFlight, please visit https://www.crossforlifeflight.org.
