FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 31, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Airlines raised more than $1 million for the Susan G. Komen® Young Investigators Grant Program during the month of October. Through the Young Investigators Grant Program, researchers are making advances against metastatic breast cancer and triple negative breast cancer, aggressive forms of the disease.
American’s partnership with Susan G. Komen® dates back to their very first race in 1983 when the airline became the organization’s first corporate sponsor. In the time since the partnership began, American, has helped raise more than $34 million for the organization.
“For more than 30 years, American has partnered with Susan G. Komen® to raise funds, build awareness, and take action because our employees are impacted by breast cancer more than any other cancer,” said Chris Singley, managing director – Community Relations & Employee Engagement. “Komen is committed to ending this disease and we are inspired by their progress and proud to join the effort to find a cure.”
“We are touched by our longstanding partner American Airlines, who always goes above and beyond in helping our mission,” Susan G. Komen President and CEO Dr. Judy Salerno said. “The Young Investigators Grant Program will help us better understand the most aggressive forms of breast cancer that are killing 40,000 people in the U.S. each year - which will bring us closer to achieving our Bold Goal.”
Earlier this month, American hosted the 22nd Annual American Airlines Celebrity Golf and Tennis Tournament in Carlsbad, CA. The event brought together 16 American Airlines employee breast cancer survivors/co-survivors and more than 400 golf and tennis enthusiasts for a star-studded weekend raising funds to further breast cancer research.
“I am very grateful to have been part of the Celebrity Golf and Tennis event, and feel incredibly lucky to have survived this awful disease,” said Debbie Smith, London-based web analytics analyst. “I thank American Airlines for supporting Komen and all those who have donated money to the cause.”
American employees contributed to the funds raised by purchasing special pink shirts, ties, scarfs, socks and more to accompany their uniforms. Additionally, 30% of the proceeds for every American Airlines branded pink item sold this year was donated to Komen.
Inflight passengers have participated in American’s campaign by drinking complimentary DASANI® Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade and purchasing Project 7 Gummies. Project7 Gummies will be making a $50,000 donation to Komen thanks to the generosity of our customers. Additionally, through Gogo, passengers were able to donate to the cause and access aa.com/bepink and komen.org throughout the month of October free of charge. Throughout the month, AAdvantage customers received double the miles (20) for every $1 donated to Susan G. Komen with a minimum donation of $25. For more information about the ways American Airlines supports breast cancer research and Susan G. Komen, please visit www.aa.com/bepink.
About American Airlines Group
American Airlines and American Eagle offer an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries. American has hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. American is a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members and members-elect serve nearly 1,000 destinations with 14,250 daily flights to 150 countries. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL. In 2015, its stock joined the S&P 500 index. Connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.
