CHICAGO, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Airlines and the American Cancer Society® are teaming up for the third consecutive year, inviting individuals around the country to bring bear hugs and smiles to children undergoing cancer treatment.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091112/CG10423)

Holden Hugyou - a huggable, limited-edition 14-inch Gund® teddy bear designed for this special initiative - is making his debut as United and the American Cancer Society reach out to Mileage Plus members and customers to help raise money and miles to benefit children with cancer. Holden is the cuddly younger brother of Maye I. Hugyou and Kenny Hugyou, who delivered smiles to nearly 18,000 children in 2008 and 2007.

For each contribution of at least 7,500 Mileage Plus miles or of a minimum of $50, volunteers - including United employees - will deliver a Holden Hugyou teddy bear to a child with cancer at hospitals throughout the country in February 2010. Contributions can be made through December 31 by visiting united.com/bearhug.

Individuals who contribute $250 to the American Cancer Society through this initiative will also receive their own Holden Hugyou bear.

"The expressions of the faces of children receiving a teddy bear is worth a million miles," said Sonya Jackson, president of the United Airlines Foundation. "We are so grateful for the overwhelming response from our customers and colleagues, who together have raised more than 100 million Mileage Plus miles and more than $360,000 for the American Cancer Society for this program since it began in 2007."

About United

United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA) operates approximately 3,300* flights a day on United and United Express to more than 200 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers based in the United States. United also is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to 1,071 destinations in 171 countries worldwide. United's 47,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the company's Web site at united.com.

*Based on United's forward-looking flight schedule for October 2009 to October 2010.

SOURCE United Airlines

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