A heartwarming story out of Colorado Air and Space Port (CASP) recently captured the attention of CBS Colorado viewers, showcasing the incredible efforts of a pilot who calls CASP home. The story features Angel Flight Central volunteer pilot, Kosta Constantine, and his wife, Nancy, who have flown nearly 100 free medical missions, many of them originating from CASP, to help patients in need access life-saving care.
One of those passengers is seven-year-old Itzy Herrera, who is in remission after a years-long battle with leukemia. Itzy and her mother, Mirna, travel from their home in small-town Kansas to Children’s Hospital Colorado for regular checkups. Thanks to Angel Flight Central and the Constantines, that trip is no longer a five-hour drive but a peaceful journey through the sky.
“It’s incredibly moving to see the kind of life-changing work happening right here at our local spaceport,” said Lynn Baca, Chair of the Adams County Board of Commissioners. “This story is a reminder that CASP is not only building the future of flight, it’s lifting people up in the most meaningful ways.”
Angel Flight Central is a nonprofit that connects volunteer pilots with patients who need long-distance transportation to medical care. Constantine’s story aired on CBS after a recent flight into CASP carrying Itzy and her mom for her latest checkup. After more than 60 flights since her diagnosis, the CASP team has grown to know and love the Herrera family.
“CASP is proud to be an access point to top level lifesaving care within the Denver Region for all of those in need of it and applaud the efforts of Angel Flight and its fleet of amazing volunteer pilots such as Kosta and Nancy Constantine,” said Jeff Kloska, Director of CASP. “Our airport isn’t just about innovation and aerospace; it’s also about community. We are honored to support Angel Flight Central and the compassionate missions they fly from our runways.”
The Constantines have been there for every part of Itzy’s journey, including celebrating her bell-ringing ceremony when she reached remission. Their ongoing support, love, and presence have made a lasting impact on the Herrera family.
“I don’t think of myself as doing anything special,” said Kosta Constantine in the CBS interview. “There’s a big need out there, and Itzy’s just one of many kids who deserve help.”
CASP continues to be a proud supporter of organizations like Angel Flight Central, which will host its annual Run for the Angels 5K on September 25 at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield. The event helps raise funds to continue offering flights like the ones that bring Itzy to Colorado.
