On a crystal-clear July morning in Kenmore, WA, three young friends climbed aboard a seaplane unlike any other in the Kenmore Air fleet. The trio and their families celebrated not only the inaugural flight of the bright blue and orange-wrapped plane, but a remarkable bond that has developed over the years between the kids and their families.
Grounded in Resilience
The three friends, Issac, Tiago and Hunter Rose, all received treatment for the same cancer diagnosis, neuroblastoma, at Seattle Children’s.
Reuniting at the water’s edge on July 13, 2026, was for a different kind of journey: a private scenic flight celebrating kicking cancer, friendship, courage and the bright futures ahead of them.
Taking Flight
Their aircraft, N87KA, wore a new look for the occasion. Wrapped in vivid blues, warm coral, and crisp white, the plane carries the Seattle Children’s name alongside three words that have guided generations of patients, families, and caregivers: Hope. Care. Cure.
The celebratory flight marked the official launch of a new partnership between Kenmore Air and Seattle Children’s, two iconic Northwest organizations connected by a shared belief in caring for people and strengthening the community we call home.
A New Perspective
As the plane lifted from the lake, the familiar city gave way to a wider horizon. Water flashed below the floats. Forested shorelines stretched into the distance. From the cabin windows, the three friends even saw the place where they first met and bonded: Seattle Children’s.
In the months and years ahead, the aircraft will carry the Seattle Children’s message across the Pacific Northwest, flying scenic tours above Seattle and serving scheduled routes throughout the region. It will appear over island harbors, cedar-lined coves, and the silver-blue reaches of the Salish Sea as a moving reminder of the lifesaving work happening every day at Seattle Children’s.
Soaring into the Future
For Kenmore Air, the partnership reflects something long understood in this corner of the world: a plane can carry more than passengers. It can carry stories. It can connect communities. And sometimes, it can help a child see just how far they have come.
For three friends who faced an extraordinary journey together, the day was about more than a flight. It was a chance to look forward, to celebrate healing, friendship, and everything still waiting beyond the horizon. Hope took flight that day. And now, it flies with us.
