posted July 22, 2025

Air Medical Team Reunites with Pediatric Patient 

PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ – July 22, 2025 — Native Air 14 commemorated two decades of dedicated service to the Prescott Valley community and surrounding rural areas with a heartfelt celebration held at the Yavapai Regional Medical Center on July 17. The event brought together first responders, healthcare partners, former and current crew members, and families whose lives have been touched by the lifesaving work of Native Air. 

Among the honored guests was 7-year-old Carlo Maresciallo, a pediatric patient who has flown with Native Air more than a handful of times due to his life-threatening condition. Maresciallo and his family reunited with the Native Air crew who have been by their side through countless emergency transports. 

Maresciallo is central line dependent, meaning his body relies entirely on a permanent IV line that delivers a specialized solution to manage idiopathic hypoglycemia and other complications like gastroparesis. Any disruption in his line can cause his blood sugar to plummet to dangerous levels in minutes. Local hospitals lack the specialized care Maresciallo needs, making urgent air transport to Phoenix essential. 

“Carlo’s condition requires immediate, highly skilled intervention,” said Sarah Maresciallo, Carlo’s mother. “We live in a rural area where ambulance access is limited, and Native Air has become our go-to in a crisis. They’ve been the only team that can get a working peripheral line in him. Their care has saved his life more than once.” 

The Maresciallo family’s connection with the Native Air crew reflects the tight-knit spirit of the Prescott Valley community. Since 2005, Native Air 14 has provided 24/7/365 access to critical care transport for the residents and visitors of Prescott Valley and surrounding areas. Operating as a flying intensive care unit, the team responds to emergency calls ranging from trauma and cardiac events to pediatric emergencies like Maresciallo’s. 

On every flight, Native Air crews carry blood products and are trained to administer them en route, an intervention proven to increase survival rates in time-sensitive emergencies. Native Air is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS), reflecting its commitment to the highest standards in safety, clinical care, and operational excellence. 

“Our mission is to provide exceptional care and rapid access to definitive treatment, especially in communities where local resources are limited,” said Dani LeMond, Native Air flight paramedic and a Prescott Valley native. “It’s an honor to celebrate 20 years serving Prescott Valley, and we’re humbled by the trust the community and our partners place in us every day.” 

Native Air’s strength lies in its collaboration with local EMS, fire departments, and law enforcement agencies. Regular joint training and strong interagency partnerships ensure seamless coordination and a shared focus on putting patients first. 

“We value our long-standing partnership with Native Air and are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate their dedicated service and continued collaboration,” said Anthony Tunis, Deputy Chief of the Williamson Valley-Bagdad Fire District. 

For families like the Maresciallos, who rely on the ecosystem of emergency services, Native Air means more than just emergency transport, it means comfort, reliability, and hope. 

“He’s flown so many times, Carlo knows all the crew members,” said Sarah. “He still gets excited every time he sees the helicopter, whether it’s an emergency or not, because the helicopter means hope, and it means family.”