Free flight to bring sick Rockford boy home

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) – A Chicago-area company says it will fly a Rockford 10-year-old who became seriously ill in Florida home for free.

AeroCare is providing a pro bono flight to bring Chandyn Thompson and his family back to Grand Rapids on Wednesday. Rockford Ambulance will transport him from the airport to the hospital.

Chandyn and his family were on spring break in Tampa earlier this month when he suddenly became ill. When his parents rushed him to the hospital, doctors found he had a rare brain disorder that may have gone undetected his entire life. He has had multiple surgeries at a hospital in Tampa and now needs round-the-clock care.

The principal of Chandyn’s elementary school organized a fundraising effort to bring the family back home in an air ambulance. The more than $52,000 raised through a GoFundMe account will be used for other medical expenses.