United, Delta, US Airways Bring On The Pink For October

United, US Airways and Delta airlines have announced special breast cancer awareness programs for the month of October.

United Airlines employees are showing their support for Breast Cancer Awareness by sporting pink uniform items and accessories throughout the month of October. In its fifth year, United's Pink Program allows employees to purchase exclusively produced pink items to wear at work – including ties, neck scarves and hats – with proceeds benefitting nonprofit organizations dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness and providing greater access to breast cancer screening and support services.

"Many of our co-workers and their friends and family members have been impacted by breast cancer and are very passionate about the cause," said Nancy Van Duyne, United's vice president of Congressional affairs and co-executive sponsor of the 2013 Pink Program. "By proudly wearing our pink, we are not only showing our support for our co-workers and their families, but we are also supporting organizations that provide valuable breast cancer services in communities across the globe."

At Delta, the airline's annual "Breast Cancer One" employee survivor charter flight launched Monday, kicking off the airline's October fundraising campaign for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and celebrating the organization's two decades of dedication to preventing and finding a cure for breast cancer.

"Twenty years ago Evelyn Lauder created the iconic Pink Ribbon to raise international awareness of breast cancer, and in those years BCRF has helped save lives and improve the quality of care for tens of thousands of breast cancer patients," said Joanne Smith, Delta's senior vice president – In-Flight Service. "We are so proud that Delta, with our employees, customers and families, has been a significant sponsor for nearly half of the foundation's history, and that our 'Pink Plane' has helped spread BCRF's message worldwide."

Delta's Pink Plane(pictured), a Boeing 767-400, flew from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport with more than 140 employee cancer survivors from locations around the world. It marks Delta's ninth annual BCRF survivor flight.

In addition to the pink plane, throughout October Delta's administrative building at its general offices in Atlanta will be illuminated in pink lighting in support of BCRF. To further raise awareness and support for breast cancer research, Delta employees will wear pink uniforms and sell pink products on board and in Delta Sky Clubs, including pink lemonade and pink headsets, All proceeds benefit BCRF.

At US Airways, employees will be sporting pink uniform items in October as part of US Airways' second annual "BE PINK" campaign: A partnership with American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC) program. The campaign, which raised $200,000 in 2012 for MSABC, runs throughout October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Like last year, employees will show their support of breast cancer programs through the purchase of special uniform pieces and the sponsorship of MSABC walks in the airline's hub cities of Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C.

This partnership with MSABC will help raise money to fight breast cancer with research, information and services, and access to mammograms for women who need them. To date, 450 employees have created 42 teams to participate in MSABC walks and US Airways has raised $110,000 through the walks and BE PINK uniform and merchandise sales.

"Last year I was so inspired by my colleagues throughout the airline who joined together in support of those who have been affected by breast cancer," said Elise Eberwein, Executive Vice President, People, Communications and Public Affairs. "Many of us have been touched by someone who fights this disease in its various forms. In honor of those who continue to battle cancer and those who have joined the fight, we stand beside you."

(Images provided by the various airlines)

FMI: www.united.com, www.delta.comx