United Airlines Delivers Bear Hugs And Smiles To Kids With Cancer
UNITED AIRLINES EMPLOYEES DELIVER 11,600 TEDDY BEARS TO KIDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
CHICAGO, July 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines employees are joining with Lurie Children's Hospital today to deliver teddy bears to Chicago-area kids undergoing cancer treatment. The teddy bear deliveries, happening across the country, are part of a multi-year partnership between United and the American Cancer Society that has raised nearly 200 million MileagePlus miles and nearly $590,000 in the fight against cancer.
For the fifth consecutive year, United customers generously contributed cash and MileagePlus miles to the American Cancer Society during the holidays. For each $50 cash or 7,500 MileagePlus mile donation, United committed to deliver a limited-edition GUND® teddy bear, Oliver D. World, to a child undergoing cancer treatment.
The donations help support those who need to travel for treatment and the American Cancer Society's mission of fighting cancer through balanced programs of research, education, patient service, advocacy and rehabilitation.
"There is no greater joy than seeing children smile when we walk into their hospital rooms with a cuddly new teddy bear," said Sonya Jackson, president, United Airlines Foundation. "That is truly the heart of the program – giving a child undergoing treatment, and the United co-workers who participate, a reason to smile."
United employees, including customer service representatives, ramp and maintenance workers, flight attendants and pilots are joining together to deliver Oliver D. World to children at hospitals in Chicago, Houston, Denver, San Francisco, Oakland, Newark, Cleveland, Los Angeles and Washington.
United proudly supports hundreds of organizations like the American Cancer Society that work to improve lives through health and education, provide opportunities for youth, connect the city with arts and culture, and improve the environment. United's 86,000 employees worldwide offer their time, talents and energy to make an impact in their communities.
About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of 5,605 flights a day to 375 airports on six continents from our hubs in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. In 2011, United carried more traffic than any other airline in the world, and operated more than two million flights carrying 142 million passengers. United is upgrading its cabins with more flat-bed seats in first and business class and more extra-legroom economy-class seating than any other airline in North America. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and has orders for more than 270 new aircraft deliveries through 2022, including 50 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 25 Airbus A350XWBs, and 100 Boeing 737 MAX 9. United was rated the world's most admired airline on FORTUNE magazine's 2012 airline-industry list of the World's Most Admired Companies. Readers of Global Traveler magazine have voted United's MileagePlus program the best frequent flyer program for eight consecutive years. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 193 countries via 27 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com or follow United on Twitter and Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.
SOURCE United Continental Holdings, Inc.
Share this article