Delta Celebrates 11th Annual 'Breast Cancer One' Survivor Flight

Delta Air Lines' annual Breast Cancer One employee survivor flight has taken flight, kicking off the airline's month-long campaign to generate awareness and raise funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This year marks Delta's 11th annual survivor flight, which will carry more than 140 employee breast cancer survivors on board Delta's newly painted pink plane on the flight's first international route from New York City to Mexico City.

"Our 80,000 employees worldwide look forward to this campaign each year and rally together to find new, innovative ways to generate awareness and funds for BCRF. We are grateful for our employees and customers for their continued passion and support as we work together to eradicate breast cancer", explains Sandy Gordon, Delta's Vice President – In-Flight Service.

The employee survivors, along with Delta leaders and BCRF executives, will travel from New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport to the Mexico City International Airport. Survivors will be celebrated and honored during a gatehouse event in New York and an event in Aeromexico's hangar in Mexico City.
 
For the second year in a row, select Delta customers who are breast cancer survivors or currently under treatment for the disease and their guests will also join the flight. Delta customers were encouraged to share stories of the person who provided tireless support during their journey through the airline's Unsung Hero social media contest.

In addition to the Unsung Hero contest, Delta also held a SkyMiles Experiences online auction, where three customers donated a total of 263,071 miles, which will go directly toward BCRF and its efforts.
 
In Mexico, survivors will be treated to an overnight stay which will include dinner and a meet-and-greet with Dr. Sofia Merajver, one of BCRF's world-renowned researchers. Nearly 80 percent of the Delta employees involved are first-time participants.
 
Since 2005, Delta employees, customers and their friends and family members have raised more than $9.2 million for BCRF, including last year's efforts of $1.3 million. The collective contributions have also funded the vital work of 37 different research projects over the years.

Delta's Pink Plane
Delta's international Boeing 767-400ER, has adorned a pink-themed livery since 2010, and 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 around the world this year. Delta's first pink plane was a Boeing 757 that flew between 2005 and 2010 throughout the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean to generate awareness for the cause.