Travel companies such as Qantas and Radisson Blu are turning pink this October, to show their support during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
From 1 October, Qantas Group employees will FlyPink by swapping their normal gold epaulettes (shoulder stripes) for pink epaulettes.
Last year, only pilots took part in the initiative, but this year they’ll be joined by Qantas and QantasLink cabin crew who will swap their silver wing badges for pink, customer service agents in our airports and lounges will wear pink ribbons and ground crew will wear pink caps.
FlyPink is an initiative started by QantasLink Captain Susan McHaffie whose aunt was diagnosed and beat breast cancer. Joining the airline in 2013, Susan was inspired by the National Breast Cancer Foundation-branded pink QantasLink aircraft to find a way to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research that would encourage airlines around the world to join together for the cause.
QantasLink Captain Susan McHaffie said she was heartened to see more employees across the airline join forces to support FlyPink this year.
“With more of our team members involved this year, I have high hopes that together we can raise $100,000 for breast cancer research.”
QantasLink Captain Susan McHaffie
“My ultimate aim is to see other airlines around the world joining us in support of FlyPink. I hope this October I’ll walk past a pilot I don’t know in an international airport wearing pink epaulettes in support of breast cancer research.”
Pink epaulettes, pink wings, pink ribbons and pink caps will be available to all 3,300 Qantas Group pilots, 7000 Qantas and QantasLink cabin crew, 2500 airport and lounge team members and 2000 ground crew, who are encouraged to make a donation and wear pink with pride in October.
Qantas employees will use the month of October to raise money through a number of other activities including National Breast Cancer Foundation collection tins in employee areas and FlyPink themed breakfasts around the country.
FlyPink branded snack boxes and cupcakes will be served on Qantas and QantasLink flights, as well as pink biscuits and cocktails in the domestic Business Lounges in support of the campaign.
Customers and Qantas employees can support FlyPink by donating to www.flypink.net #WeFlyPink #showyoursupport.
Meanwhile, the “new blu” Radisson Blu Plaza Sydney, which has recently undergone a $13.5 million re-design, will be turning “PINK” for the month of October as part of a global initiative to raise funds for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The inaugural campaign “LOVE BLU, THINK PINK!” will see nearly 300 Radisson Blu® hotels in 69 countries and territories supporting this worthy initiative with the hotels all turning one of their guest rooms pink for the entire month. The rooms will include pink décor touches and other special pink amenities.
At the end of the month, 10 percent of the revenue generated from the sale of a Radisson Blu Plaza Sydney dedicated pink Business Class guest room will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). The hotel also is giving guests the opportunity to make individual donations to the Foundation during their stay.
“We are delighted to be a part of this inaugural campaign and have selected the NBCF as they are one of Australia’s most respected and recognised charities.”
Peter Tudehope, Radisson Blu General Manager
“This is only the first year of the campaign with plans to grow the concept in the future and we look forward to raising funds for this very worthy Foundation.”
And there’s Captain Cook Cruises, which is turning Sydney Harbour pink, by hosting a special three-hour High Tea at Sea on Wednesday 12 October in support of the McGrath Foundation.
Donating 50 percent of the ‘Turn Sydney Harbour Pink, High Tea at Sea’ fare plus all donations on the day from raffles and silent auctions, Captain Cook Cruises hopes to raise much needed funds to help the McGrath Foundation place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia and increase breast awareness in young people.
Head of Sales and Marketing for Captain Cook Cruises, Richard Doyle, says Captain Cook Cruises is thrilled to be operating a pink High Tea at Sea for the McGrath Foundation.
The Turn Sydney Harbour Pink, High Tea at Sea departs Wednesday, 12 October 2016 from Circular Quay Wharf 6 at 12.30pm, returning at 3.45pm.