'Hero' Plymouth Pilot Honored By Boston Celtics

BOSTON, MA — Norwell's Mark Hanson on Wednesday was honored by the Boston Celtics for his work flying the sick for medical treatment. Hanson, a pilot who flies out of Plymouth for the nonprofit Patient Airlift Services, was presented with the team's "Heroes Among Us" award before the Celtics' playoff win over the Chicago Bulls. (Subscribe to Plymouth news alerts for updates on this story and more breaking news. iPhone/iPad users: download the new Patch app.)

Patient Airlift Services — or "PALS" — provides flights for those needing medical treatment at far-away destinations who cannot afford to fly commercially.

"Personally donating his time as the pilot and all transportation costs, Mark has flown more than 100 medical flights for PALS since 2011," the Celtics said in a statement. "After retiring in 2009, Mark began taking flying lessons to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a passion when Mark joined Patient Airlift Services."

Lead photo: Isaiah Thomas of the Boston Celtics (left), Mark Hanson and Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls. Above: Hanson receives his "Heroes Among Us" award. (Credit: Boston Celtics)