TORONTO — WestJet and over 13,000 WestJetters are rallying together to support breast cancer awareness initiatives during the month of October through uniform updates, the CIBC Run for the Cure and fundraising campaigns.
For the third consecutive year, WestJetters’ uniforms will look a little pinker in October with custom-designed pink neckwear and hats that have been made available to employees with 100% of the purchase price going to the Canadian Cancer Society.
New for 2018, pink ‘personality’ pins were created and are available by donation for WestJetters to show their support year-round.
As the official airline of the Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure, WestJet has raised more than $441,000 for breast cancer research and programs since 2013.
“As a proud supporter of the Canadian Cancer Society and the breast cancer cause, we are delighted that WestJetters have raised more than $441,000 in the last five years for life-saving breast cancer research and programs through our annual fundraising campaigns,” said Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President Marketing Communications.
“Over half of our workforce is represented by women and it’s incredible to see us continue to unite together and show what our caring spirit can do in support of a tremendous cause. We are committed to making breast cancer beatable and will be proudly wearing pink this month to help bring awareness to those who have been affected by the disease.”
On Sept. 30, some 40 teams of more than 360 WestJetters and their families will also participate in the Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure, at over 18 locations across Canada.
Carly Schur, National Director of Corporate Programs for the Canadian Cancer Society, notes that progress is being made against breast cancer, with the survival rate for the disease now at 87%. “More work needs to be done because breast cancer is still the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among women in our country. We are very thankful for WestJet and our other partners who are committed to funding breast cancer research, awareness and support programs, while also participating in the CIBC Run for the Cure which engages Canadians in this work,” said Schur.
