Flight Story #1311
From Calgary, CA > Buenos Aires, AR – $1281.17 CAD
Diego was facing a difficult reality when he reached out to Give A Mile. His 91-year-old father was bedridden in Argentina, suffering from advanced heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the lasting effects of a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. He had almost no mobility, could barely speak in faint murmurs, and required full-time care. He had been hospitalized with severe shortness of breath and fluid buildup. Though stabilized, doctors warned the family that his heart failure was progressing and that his time was very limited.
His father had one wish left: to see his children while he still could.
Diego felt a great responsibility to honor that wish. But making it happen felt impossible. He had lost his job and was relying on employment insurance. Foot surgery in December left him unable to work or even attend interviews for months, adding to the financial strain. Covering the cost of a last-minute international flight to Argentina was completely out of reach.
He explained that this trip would mean the world to him. His father had been more than a parent—he was a role model and mentor. A dedicated medical doctor specializing in gynecology and obstetrics, his father spent decades serving his community with compassion. In his later years, he turned to writing to share his thoughts and stories. He had also been a talented carpenter, painter, and violinist in his youth. Diego described him as a man of many passions who always led by example, teaching his family kindness, responsibility, and resilience.
This flight was Diego’s chance to thank him in person for everything he had done. It was the chance to be present for the man who had shaped his life, to hold his hand, to tell him how much he was loved, and to say goodbye.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of Toronto Pearson International Airport, this flight of compassion was made possible.
Toronto Pearson’s support removed the financial barrier standing between Diego and his father. Their sponsorship meant Diego didn’t have to choose between his basic needs and honoring his father’s final wish. It gave him the freedom to focus on what truly mattered: family, love, and presence at the end of life.
This wasn’t just a plane ticket—it was a lifeline of connection, dignity, and love. It transformed fear of regret into the peace of presence. We want to offer our heartfelt thanks to Toronto Pearson International Airport for sponsoring this flight. Your support didn’t just pay for travel—it gave a son the priceless gift of saying goodbye.