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Cancer patients are pilots for a day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Melanie Iannaggi
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Five cancer patients, ages 22 to 66, and their supporters visited Luke Air Force Base Feb. 9 for a pilot-for-a-day tour.

The patients have different types of cancer are are currently being treated at the Goodyear location of Cancer Treatment Centers of America®.

Most of the visitors said they have dreamed about being a pilot at some time in their lives.

"I wanted to be a pilot in the Air Force when I was younger," pilot for a day, Mrs. Jamie Hyslope said. "But a recruiter in high school killed my dreams when he noticed I wore contact lenses. He informed me that pilots need to have 20/20 uncorrected vision. I was absolutely crushed."

She said being here at Luke is like being at Disneyland for the average child.

"I really enjoyed the simulator," Mrs. Hyslope said. "It was so rad. I got to compete against my husband and show off my skills."

Mr. Ariel King said he was in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps during college and wanted to be a pilot. But, that didn't work out and he has been an employment specialist for the city of St. Louis for the past 33 years instead.

"The simulator was a lot of fun and it was a one-of-a-kind experience," he said. "I am so grateful for having this rare opportunity."

Mr. John Ritchey brought a friend, Mr. Young, with him to Luke for some competition.

"Although I have no interest in being a pilot myself, I came for an opportunity to beat John at something," pilot for a day, Mr. Ralph Young said. "Even on my best day and his worst day, he beats me at golf. I can't wait to shoot him down in the simulator."

Mr. Aina Tezzanos said he is going through a tough fight with cancer.

"I have been at the center for about a year and have no idea when I will be done," the 22-year-old Hawaiian resident said. "I was diagnosed three years ago with nasal pharyngeal carcinoma and since then, the cancer has spread to my lungs, bones and liver."

Mr. Tezzanos said he always wanted the chance to drive a jet and shoot missiles.

"Being here at Luke was good fun," he said. "I liked rolling my jet during the simulator and finding the target and sticking with it. I love the competition."

Although Mr. Tezzanos has a long battle ahead of him he continues to maintain a positive attitude.

"Strap me up to the chemo machine and I'll keep going," he said. "'Never give up,' is my motto."

Capt. Gregory Jenkins, 56th Training Squadron instructor pilot, and his wife, Tiffany, a public relations manager at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® in Goodyear, made the event possible.

"This tour was a good opportunity to give back to the local community," Captain Jenkins said. "We gave them the chance to see something most people will never see. It was very rewarding, and I'm glad to be in a position to have helped make this happen."