CEBU, Philippines - Over 140 employee breast cancer survivors joined Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) CEO Richard Anderson aboard “Breast Cancer One” – a special charter flight commemorating Delta people’s heroic fight with the disease. This marked the start of the Delta’s seventh annual awareness campaign and fundraising effort for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).
Delta’s Boeing 767-400 signature “pink plane” flew from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Altanta, USA to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport carrying employee survivors from 30 different departments across 30 different locations, representing five different business partners of the Delta family.
“Thanks to the generosity and determination of Delta people and our customers, we’ve raised more than $3.5 million for BCRF to date, including $1 million donated each in 2009 and 2010,” said Delta CEO Richard Anderson. ”Delta’s donations have funded the work of 12 researchers committed to finding a cure for breast cancer. Our employees are up to the challenge of exceeding last year’s million dollar donation, and I look forward to helping them reach that goal,” he added.
For the entire month of October, Delta employees are clad in pink uniforms to raise awareness and to show support to the breast cancer research. Onboard, they’ll pink lemonade, as well as in Delta Sky Clubs. All proceeds benefit BCRF.
Delta’s “Pink Plane”
Delta’s international “pink plane,” a Boeing 767-400, featuring BCRF’s trademarked pink ribbon logo on the tail of the aircraft and adjacent to the boarding door, has carried nearly 150,000 customers and flown nearly 6,000 hours – or approximately 104 trips around the world – since being painted pink in May 2010. The aircraft flies international routes, helping raise awareness for BCRF in England , Germany , Italy , Spain , France and Argentina . Delta’s international pink plane replaced the pink-and-white Boeing 757 that between 2005 and 2010 flew throughout the United States , Latin America and the Caribbean to generate awareness for the cause.