Following the World Health Organization estimates that approximately 625,000 people die every year from breast cancer, October has been set out as breast cancer awareness month.
Delta Airline, Qantas, Qatar airways and more 127 airlines all over the world joined the WHO to promote Breast Cancer Awareness for the month of October.
Breast Cancer is a disease that primarily impacts women and accounts for 15% of all female cancer deaths.
One of the airlines onboard is Delta Air Lines, teamed up with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) over the years, raising over $19 million in the process and funding 76 research projects. Traditionally, Delta has thrown some big bashes to draw attention to breast cancer, including running the very pink-themed Breast Cancer One flights.
This year, broader health concerns have constrained what Delta can do. The airline will accept donations onboard, hand out QR codes to facilitate donations once back on the ground, and sell discounted co-branded Delta and BCRF merchandise via the virtual Pink Boutique.
On the other hand, Qatar Airways is also backing the cause by running a program of activities that includes awareness-building activities, health-education webinars, free mammograms for employees, and fundraising events such as their annual charity bazaar.
Qatar Airways is devoted to raising awareness of breast cancer: “We firmly believe that prevention and early detection can save many lives and contribute to the continuous global efforts made to eradicate this disease,” says Qatar Airways CEO, Akbar Al Baker.
While Qantas has long backed the cause. Several years ago, the airline painted one of its Dash 8 aircraft pink, the signature color of breast cancer awareness. This year, many Qantas pilots will wear pins and pink epaulets to show their support.
According to a report in Australian Aviation, Qantas jumped onboard after a junior QantasLink pilot raised the issue with senior management. Since then, enthusiasm for the cause has filtered across the wider Qantas Group, from baggage handlers to A380 captains. In the process, Qantas has raised over $1 million for breast cancer awareness.
Other Airlines include Etihad, Alliance airline and a host of other airlines across the globe.