WestJet goes pink for breast cancer

Airline employees raise funds and turn heads in pink uniform pieces

CALGARY, Oct. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Today, WestJet announced that the airline's uniforms will be looking a little brighter this October with the addition of a pink, custom-designed necktie and scarf in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF). Employees across the airline's network purchased the limited edition neckwear, with 100 per cent of the $45,000 dollars raised going to CBCF for breast cancer research, education, and support and information programs.

"Women represent more than half our workforce making breast cancer a cause worth supporting," said Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President Marketing Communications. "The WestJet brand stands for caring and as the official airline partner of CBCF we are tickled pink to adorn ourselves with the special neckwear this October."

"The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and WestJet coming together is an incredible example of what happens when a partnership takes flight and soars," says Carly Schur, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Director of Corporate Programs. "Through WestJet's generous support, CBCF can further fund groundbreaking breast cancer research and provide support and information services to anyone affected by breast cancer."

WestJet also announced today the results of its fourth annual fundraising campaign for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. As a proud supporter and official airline of the CIBC Run for the Cure, WestJet employees, their families and friends came together on Sunday October 2^nd to participate at 26 locations across the country, raising more than $40,000 for CBCF. Over the past four years, WestJet and their employees have raised more than $340,000 for a future without breast cancer.

"We are thrilled that 38 teams participated in fundraising and running in communities from coast to coast," said Bartrem. "As an airline, we travel millions of miles every year. But yesterday we logged perhaps our most important miles – on foot."

To see how the day unfolded, visit WestJet's Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Since partnering with CBCF in 2013, WestJet has provided the gift of flight assisting with reducing business administration expenses, incenting participation in the Run and bolstering fundraising activities, as well as encourages employee fundraising and participation in the CIBC Run for the Cure.

About the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) is a national community-driven charity. As the largest charitable funder of breast cancer research in Canada, CBCF's vision is to create a future without breast cancer. Since its inception in 1986, the Foundation has invested over $360 million in breast cancer research, funding more than 1,400 scientific and community grants. CBCF's investments in vital research, education, health promotion, support and information programs have led to progress in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. For more information, visit cbcf.org.

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's highest-rated airline for customer service, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 150 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods  ̶  even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.  

Recent recognition includes:
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture (Waterstone Human Capital)
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)
2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in the Canada's Choice ranking (RewardsCanada.ca)
2014 Interbrand Canada's Best Canadian Brands (Rank #20)
2014 Brands of the Year (Strategy magazine)
2014 Canada's Most Preferred Airline (Ipsos)
2014 Value Airline of the Year (Air Transport World magazine)
2014/2013/2012 Canada's Most Attractive Employer (Randstad)
2014/2013/2012/2011 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)

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SOURCE WestJet

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