Delta Air Lines kicks off annual campaign to promote awareness on breast cancer

Delta Air Lines' (NYSE: DAL) annual "Breast Cancer One" employee survivor flight took place yesterday, kicking off the airline's month-long campaign to generate awareness and raise money for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This year marked Delta's 10th annual survivor flight, which honored more than 140 employee breast cancer survivors with a trip from Atlanta to New York City.

"Delta employees across the globe are united in their passion and support for BCRF and its critical mission of finding a cure for breast cancer," said Sandy Gordon, Delta's Vice President – In-Flight Service Field Operations. "We are proud of our employees and customers, as they unite efforts and help us celebrate this major milestone."

The employee survivors, accompanied by Delta leaders and BCRF executives, traveled from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport. Survivors were celebrated and honored by Delta leaders, employees and customers during festivities at both airports including water cannon salutes and live music. In New York, survivors were treated to an overnight stay which included dinner and a meet-and-greet with some of BCRF's world-renowned researchers. Nearly 80 percent of the Delta employees involved were first-time participants.

As part of this year's initiative, Delta also hosted its first "Unsung Hero" social media contest. The airline encouraged customers who are survivors or currently battling breast cancer to share the story of the person who has provided countless hours of support during their journey. As a result, five customers and their unsung heroes were chosen to attend this year's flight.

"When Delta joined forces with BCRF 10 years ago, we knew we had an ally in this fight until the very end," said Myra Biblowit, President of BCRF. "With Delta, it's not just the company that is committed to ending breast cancer, every one of their employees is dedicated to the cause. Their partnership is personal, and that's what has made it such an enormous success."

To further raise awareness and support for breast cancer research, Delta employees will wear pink uniforms and sell pink products, including pink lemonade and pink headsets, on board and in Delta Sky Clubs during October. All proceeds from the airline's pink products will benefit BCRF.

Since 2005, Delta's support has contributed more than $7.9 million to BCRF, including last year's efforts of $1.25 million. Delta's contributions have funded the vital work of 31 different research projects over the years in the pursuit of eradicating breast cancer.

Delta's "Pink Plane"
Delta's international "pink plane," a Boeing 767-400, features BCRF's trademarked pink ribbon logo on the tail of the aircraft and adjacent to the boarding door. In 2012 the aircraft was formally dedicated to the memory of Evelyn Lauder who founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in 1993. The aircraft flies international routes and will raise awareness for BCRF in London, Milan, Rio De Janiero, Sao Paulo, among others and the United States this year. Delta's first pink plane was a Boeing 757 that between 2005 and 2010 flew throughout the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean to generate awareness for the cause.

More information about the charitable efforts of Delta and its employees is available in the company's annual Corporate Responsibility Report.

SOURCE Delta Air Lines