Qantas to FlyPink in October to Raise Breast Cancer Awareness

21st Sep 2015

The idea to "FlyPink" and to raise breast cancer awareness in October came from QantasLink captain Susan McHaffie. Captain McHaffie will be joined by about 3,000 of her colleagues from Qantas, QantasLink, Jetstar, JetConnect New Zealand, Network Aviation, as well as Express Freighters Australia.

This way, The Flying Kangaroo and its crews are showing their support for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) and will all wear pink epaulets, instead of their usual gold ones.

The originator of this idea, Captain McHaffie said in a statement:

"Together with Qantas, it is my goal to raise $20,000 for breast cancer research. I hope by next year I'll walk past a pilot I don't know in an international airport wearing pink epaulets in support of breast cancer research."

The idea to do this, McHaffie said came to her when her aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer and managed to win the battle.

Chief pilot at QantasLink Captain Nathan Miller said he hopes the initiative will be picked up by other airline companies beside Qantas.

Captain Miller said:

"As a global carrier, we hope we can help our pilots take the FlyPink initiative from Australia to the world and are challenging other airlines to join us."

NBCF chair Elaine Henry explained the proceeds from the FlyPink campaign will be used to fund various breast cancer research projects in Australia.

She said:

"Every day in 2015, 42 women in Australia are diagnosed with breast cancer, and it is still the biggest cause of cancer-related death in women globally. We believe that research is the key to eradicating the disease, and credit research with the many advances that have been made in breast cancer care and treatment over the past few decades."

Qantas and the National Breast Cancer Foundation partnered before to fight breast cancer when the carrier revealed a pink QantasLink Q400 turboprop in 2007.

This time, Qantas will also support the foundation by serving food in FlyPink branded boxes and holding Pink Ribbon breakfasts.