Cross for LifeFlight raises more than $10,000 for air medical transport
The LifeFlight crew with Paige Smith, July 30. The LifeFlight crew, June 7, 2022
Pilot Andrew John
CommSpec Terri Smith
Nurse Lori Metayer
Paramedic Dave Rudolph
Asset Bangor-based Helicopter
Location: intercept with Northstar EMS to Maine Medical Center (Photo courtesy Beck Butler Photography)
Paige Smith and Lori Metayer. (Photo courtesy Beck Butler Photography)
EMS and firefighters line up to honor the effort to raise awareness and funds for LifeFlight of Maine. (Photo courtesy Beck Butler Photography)
At the Thomaston municipal building, a gathering to celebrate. (Photo courtesy Beck Butler Photography)
Paige Smith recounts her medical emergency and thanks the medical crews for saving her life June 7, 2022. (Photo courtesy Beck Butler Photography)
The LifeFlight crew with Paige Smith, July 30. The LifeFlight crew, June 7, 2022
Pilot Andrew John
CommSpec Terri Smith
Nurse Lori Metayer
Paramedic Dave Rudolph
Asset Bangor-based Helicopter
Location: intercept with Northstar EMS to Maine Medical Center (Photo courtesy Beck Butler Photography)
Paige Smith and Lori Metayer. (Photo courtesy Beck Butler Photography)
EMS and firefighters line up to honor the effort to raise awareness and funds for LifeFlight of Maine. (Photo courtesy Beck Butler Photography)
At the Thomaston municipal building, a gathering to celebrate. (Photo courtesy Beck Butler Photography)
Paige Smith recounts her medical emergency and thanks the medical crews for saving her life June 7, 2022. (Photo courtesy Beck Butler Photography)
Sunday, July 30, was warm and clear, perfect conditions for a flotilla of boats making a ceremonial crossing from Port Clyde to Cushing, a fundraiser for LifeFlight of Maine — Maine’s only air ambulance service. At the helm was Paige Smith, who, just a little more than a year ago, was a patient aboard a LifeFlight helicopter, as the crew worked hard to save her life.
A paramedic herself and now working for both St. George and Waldoboro EMS services, she wanted to give back to LifeFlight. The Crossing was her initiative and followed a brief celebration at the Thomaston municipal building, where she thanked LifeFlight for helping her out of a tough spot, and gave the nonprofit more than $10,000 raised in donations.
This Crossing was part of LifeFlight’s broader Maine’s Cross For LifeFlight which takes places throughout the month of August. It’s not too late to register for similar efforts at crossforlifeflight.org.
The Cross is open to everyone and joining The Cross is simple Participants register and track any outdoor activity that they do in August. Walk, run, hike, bike, paddle, row, or sail. Every mile "Crossed" counts and helps LifeFlight get closer to its goal of raising awareness and funds for Maine’s only air ambulance service.
Approximately 75 people turned out for the July 30 event, while along the road, ambulances and fire trucks lined up with designated crews to show their support. The boat parade including nine vessels, from sailboats to lobster boats.
“It was an awesome moment to all come together for a cause so near to our hearts for saving my life and countless others,” said Smith.
LifeFlight arrived with the same helicopter that had flown Smith from a rural hospital to Maine Medical Center on June 7, 2022, following a surgery mishap that damaged her aorta. (Read: From punctured aorta to paramedic, Paige Smith pays it forward for those who saved her life)
With Smith at the July 30 celebration was Lori Metayer, the nurse/paramedic who helped to save her life, as well as LifeFlight founding Executive Director Tom Judge.
“We hope to repeat this crossing next year with even more participants,” said Smith.
