Seven Corners Medically Evacuates Buzz Aldrin
Angela Borden | Feb 24, 2021
This blog post was updated November 14, 2019.
Our Seven Corners Assist team works hard 24/7, but did you know they evacuated an American hero last year?
In December 2016, Buzz Aldrin (yes, the second
man to walk on the moon!) headed to the South Pole with White Desert, a tour company for which we provide travel insurance. While talking to scientists at the National Science Foundation (NSF), he began having difficulty breathing.
The altitude is very high there at 9,301 feet above sea level, and this was impacting his medical condition. The NSF moved quickly, arranging a flight to McMurdo Station in Antarctica. From there, Buzz flew to Christchurch, New Zealand.
We received notification of Buzz's situation when he was in the air on his way to Christchurch. Our team quickly went to work and flew a nurse from the United States to Buzz's side to monitor his condition and accompany him home. He was
diagnosed with fluid in his lungs and treated with antibiotics.
While in Christchurch, we also arranged, under the plan’s Emergency Medical Reunion benefit, to fly his daughter, Jan, to his side.
About a week after arriving in New Zealand, Buzz had recovered well enough to fly home in a business class seat on a commercial flight, along with a nurse and his daughter.
A surprise!
Our international assist coordinator, made a special visit to Buzz's side. He met him at the airport in Orlando, helped him through the airport without any difficulties, and rode in a limo with Buzz to his house.
As it turns out, neither Buzz nor his manager, Christina, knew he had travel insurance, and they
weren't certain how it would work. This may be surprising because Buzz is no stranger to traveling. But this situation alone reinforces what we already know about travelers in general – a large number of them are still learning about the
importance of travel insurance. Because of this recent situation, both Buzz and his manager plan to consider a travel insurance plan the next time they travel.
About the Author
Angela Borden has been a member of the Seven Corners team since 2007. She originally joined as an underwriter, later transitioning to marketing to explore her passion for making all things insurance less confusing and more fun. (Is that possible?) When she's not working, Angela loves traveling and spending time with her family, including her two adorable dogs.
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