Times Staff


ALTUS — Air Evac Lifeteam is joining the efforts to raise funds to assist an 18-year-old Eldorado man who lost an arm in a farming accident on Christmas Eve.

The air ambulance company will donate $10 for every membership sold at a Jan. 28 fundraiser at the Jackson County Fairgrounds to Noel Olguin to help offset his medical expenses.

Olguin was injured when his clothing got entangled in a rotating PTO shaft while constructing a fence on property east of Eldorado. He was flown by the Lawton Air Evac Lifeteam crew to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City and remains hospitalized with critical injuries.

Air Evac Lifeteam plans to have two helicopters and crews at the event set for 5 p.m. at the exhibition center. Those attending will have an opportunity to view the medical helicopters, ask questions of the crewmembers and learn more about Air Evac Lifeteam services and membership benefits.

Lawton Air Evac Lifeteam Base Nurse Supervisor Shawn Tanner, who was on duty the day Olguin was flown, said she and fellow crewmembers are happy to be a part of this fundraising effort.

“This young man has a long road ahead of him and we want to do what we can to help make that journey a little easier for him,” Tanner said. “Our care and concern for our patients goes beyond the short time we are with them on their flight. Noel is one of those patients who will always stay in our thoughts and prayers.”

Air Evac Lifeteam Membership Coordinator Jill Burks said the fundraiser is a great opportunity to offer some support for Noel and, at the same time, provide some peace of mind for your family.

“Becoming an Air Evac Lifeteam member can give you peace of mind, knowing that if you ever need the service, your family will not be burdened with an air ambulance bill,”Burks said. “If a member is flown by Air Evac Lifeteam for a life or limb-threatening medical emergency, they are not billed for the flight. Air Evac will accept whatever the member’s benefits provider pays as payment in full for the flight.

“Supporting the membership program also helps ensure the service is available should you ever need it,” she added. “Even if you don’t ever need the service, your friends or neighbors might.”

Annual membership fees are $50 for an individual, $55 for a couple and $60 for a household. Information about Air Evac Lifeteam services and membership benefits is available by calling 1-800-793-0010 or at www.lifeteam.net