KidCares^SM....the flight for kids' health

Northwest Airlines is proud to team with this quarter's AirCares charity partner, its KidCares medical travel program. Northwest is promoting the mission of its KidCares program and encouraging WorldPerks mileage donations to the program.

Sometimes a child's health depends on receiving medical treatment far from home. For many families in this situation, transportation costs can seem overwhelming. Northwest Airlines created the KidCares medical travel program as part of its AirCares charitable assistance commitment. KidCares provides air travel to children age 18 and younger (and one parent or guardian) who are unable to receive medical treatment in their home area. Donated WorldPerks miles are used to provide this free air travel.

Since 1999, Northwest has provided free travel all around the world to hundreds of children for their medical care. KidCares travel depends on the support of Northwest Airlines and the generous donations by its WorldPerks members. With WorldPerks mileage donations, Northwest can continue to help these children and their families.

Dawson Bateman is one of those children to have benefited from KidCares. He was diagnosed at just 4 months old with nystagmus and strabismus--severe eye disorders that lead to sharply delayed or diminished mental and physical development. Parents Bart and Donna were told that Dawson would suffer learning disabilities regardless of any efforts made. But fate had different plans for Dawson and the Batemans. They found out about a program in Philadelphia that gave them hope, however, this therapy would require patience, time and travel.

And travel they did--with the help of KidCares. Since then 2-year-old Dawson's progress has been nothing short of phenomenal. And his mother's goal for him is nothing short of total recovery. A dedicated family (the couple has seven other children) and WorldPerks members make this goal possible. "If there had not been the opportunity with Northwest to travel, I don't know what I'd do...I cannot tell you what it means to have people kind enough and generous enough to help us."

In addition to free travel for medical treatment, KidCares children also receive a teddy bear provided by Good Bears of the World and Northwest Airlines. Good Bears of the World is an international organization that has provided hundreds of thousands of teddy bears to hospitalized and sick children and others in need of a hug since its founding in 1969.

With steady WorldPerks mileage donations, Northwest can continue helping these children and their families. Please help Northwest to help them by showing your support with a WorldPerks mileage donation. Northwest Airlines will match all mileage donations.

All AirCares donations are final.