BE PINK: US Airways Employees Add Color For A Cause To Help Fight Breast Cancer

TEMPE, Ariz., Oct. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- US Airways (NYSE: LCC) Flight Attendant Bryan Rohwer is doing it for his wife Brenda, who began her fight last June. Airport Customer Service Agent Katherine Clavecilla is honoring her mom, who has been in remission since 2009. Fleet Service Agent Kari De Jong is supporting friends, family and colleagues.

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The three, along with thousands of their 32,000 colleagues, will be sporting pink uniform items in October as part of US Airways' second annual "BE PINK" campaign: A partnership with American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC) program. The campaign, which raised $200,000 in 2012 for MSABC, runs throughout October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Like last year, employees will show their support of breast cancer programs through the purchase of special uniform pieces and the sponsorship of MSABC walks in the airline's hub cities of Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C.

This partnership with MSABC will help raise money to fight breast cancer with research, information and services, and access to mammograms for women who need them. To date, 450 employees have created 42 teams to participate in MSABC walks and US Airways has raised $110,000 through the walks and BE PINK uniform and merchandise sales.

"Last year I was so inspired by my colleagues throughout the airline who joined together in support of those who have been affected by breast cancer," said Elise Eberwein, Executive Vice President, People, Communications and Public Affairs. "Many of us have been touched by someone who fights this disease in its various forms. In honor of those who continue to battle cancer and those who have joined the fight, we stand beside you."

Customers flying US Airways this October will notice airport customer service employees, pilots and flight attendants with pink scarves, ties, blouses and tailored shirts. Fleet service and maintenance employees will sport pink hats and t-shirts.

On the ground, customers should keep their eyes peeled for a freshly painted pink aircraft tractor tug in Charlotte, Philadelphia and Phoenix. While in flight, they will see the airline's commitment to the cause in a feature story and letter from Chairman and CEO Doug Parker in US Airways Magazine and on beverage napkins. They'll also the have the option to enjoy complimentary pink lemonade, courtesy of Coca-Cola, or make a donation to the BE PINK campaign by ordering a Stirrings Cosmopolitan. Donations from credit or debit cards will also be accepted on board.  

BE PINK branded items and clothing are available for purchase by the flying public at the US Airways Company Store (usairwaysstore.com). A portion of each BE PINK purchase will be donated to MSABC.  

The US Airways-sponsored MSABC walks will take place Oct. 6 in Washington, D.C., Oct.19 in Charlotte and Philadelphia, and Oct. 26 in Phoenix. To learn more or sign up for a walk around the country, visit makingstrides.acsevents.org.   

For more information on BE PINK, visit usairways.com/BEPINK.

About US Airways

US Airways, along with US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express, operates more than 3,100 flights per day and serves 198 communities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Central and South America. The airline employs more than 32,000 aviation professionals worldwide, operates the world's largest fleet of Airbus aircraft and is a member of the Star Alliance network, which offers its customers more than 21,900 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries. Together with its US Airways Express partners, the airline serves approximately 80 million passengers each year and operates hubs in Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. Aviation Week and Overhaul & Maintenance magazine presented US Airways with the 2012 Aviation Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of the Year Award for demonstrating outstanding achievement and innovation in the area of technical operations. Military Times Edge magazine named US Airways as a Best for Vets employer for the past three years. US Airways was, for the third year in a row, the only airline included as one of the 50 best companies to work for in the U.S. by LATINA Style magazine's 50 Report. The airline also earned a 100 percent rating on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality index for six consecutive years. The Corporate Equality index is a leading indicator of companies' attitudes and policies toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees and customers. For more company information visit usairways.com, follow on Twitter @USAirways or at Facebook.com/USAirways. (LCCG)

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SOURCE US Airways