Saving Lives, One at a Time

Search and rescue pilot makes it his mission to support Yale New Haven Health

There are many ways to save a life, and David Faile—husband, father and aircraft pilot—has been involved in more than a few. It all started when he was in first grade, living with his grandmother. “My grandmother was a huge influence on me,” he says. “I give her credit for much of who I am.”

David’s grandmother was passionate about the charities she loved. She was an early supporter of the Fresh Air Fund and a generous contributor to medical research and medical school scholarships. And when David was a teenager, she funded the indoor swimming pool at the YMCA. “She told me that if learning to swim in that pool saves even one person’s life someday, it would be worth it!”

David’s grandmother didn’t have to teach David about the importance of giving back. He saw what she did, and he learned by example.

Forty-two years ago, after David’s daughter was born prematurely at Yale New Haven Hospital, she was transferred to the NICU at Bridgeport Hospital (BH), where they had the expertise to treat her respiratory issues. Thanks to the excellent care she received, she recovered beautifully. And with his grandmother’s example in mind, David knew what he wanted to do: he made a generous bequest to the NICU at BH and has been contributing regularly ever since to the NICU, helping to save lives every day.

In August 2023, after David was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm in danger of rupturing, he had life-saving cardiac surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital. (Thankfully, he’s fine—back to most of his old activities, including flying.)

David was so impressed with his surgeon’s research into the genetic risk factors of aortic aneurysms that he became a generous donor to the research study. “I felt it would be very meaningful if I contributed to that work,” David says. Once again, David chose to give his support to save lives.

David has never limited his life-saving activities to philanthropy, though. As a record-setting, award-winning pilot, he flies as part of a nonprofit search and rescue helicopter team, Eagle-1—work he’s been doing for more than 20 years. “Giving back is such an important part of life,” David says. His grandmother would be proud!