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
CALGARY, Sept. 27, 2018 /CNW/ - WestJet and over 13,000 WestJetters are rallying together in the effort 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 per cent of the purchase price going to the Canadian Cancer Society. Additionally, for 2018 new pink 'personality' pins were created and are available by donation for WestJetters to show their support year-round.
"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 Sunday, 40 teams of more than 360 WestJetters and their families will also participate in the Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure. As a proud supporter and the official airline of the CIBC Run for the Cure for the sixth consecutive year, WestJetters along with their families and friends will come together to walk and run at over 18 locations across Canada.
"Progress is being made against breast cancer as the survival rate for the disease is now 87 per cent," said Carly Schur, National Director of Corporate Programs for the Canadian Cancer Society. "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."
"I'm wearing pink this month for my amazing sister, along with all the brave women and men who've faced the long and courageous battle against breast cancer," said Carey Steacy, WestJet Captain and Breast Cancer Awareness Month Ambassador. "I believe with support and awareness a future without breast cancer is possible."
Since partnering with the former Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation in 2013, which merged last year with the Canadian Cancer Society, WestJet has provided the gift of flight assisting with reducing business administration expenses, incenting participation in the CIBC Run for the Cure and bolstering fundraising activities by encouraging employee fundraising.
About WestJet
Together with WestJet's regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas. Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our partner airlines.
WestJet is proud to be recognized as Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice winner – North America for 2017 and 2018 in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines. The airline was also named the Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America, 2018. All awards are based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.
WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognition includes:
2018 North America's Best Low-Cost Airline (Skytrax)
2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018/2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
2016 Canada's most reputable company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands (Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)
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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership
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