Travel Leaders Go Pink For Breast Cancer Awareness And To Support Research
by Heather Cassell
The travel industry is going pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month giving travelers reason to take to the air or hit the road and book a room during October.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was established 30 years ago in 1985.
Since then strides have been made as the death rate among women diagnosed with breast cancer has continued to decline since 1989, especially among women younger than 50. There are now more than 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in the US alone, according to the American Cancer Society.
Experts attribute the decrease in deaths to early detection through screening and increased awareness, but also to improvements in treatment.
However it’s estimated that 40,290 American women are expected to die from breast cancer this year, according to BreastCancer.org, and worldwide more than 508,000 women died due to breast cancer in 2011, the most recent statistic available, according to the World Health Organization.
Worldwide it’s estimated that more than 1.7 million new cases of breast cancer occurred among women in 2012, the most recent statistic available, according to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. It appears that breast cancer is more prevalent in developed nations than developing countries, according to the foundation. In spite of that breast cancer doesn’t see gender identity, nationality, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
Family history or lack thereof makes some difference, but about 85% of new breast cancer diagnosis happens among women who have no family history, say experts.
The cold hard fact is that the most dangerous factors for being diagnosed with breast cancer is being a woman and growing older, according to BreastCancer.org. It gives a whole new meaning to the battle to stay young and healthy.
Yet, there are great ways to fight back. One of them is to travel and see the world while raising money for breast cancer research and awareness during October.
These airlines and resorts are putting your gallivanting dollars to work getting you and their teams into the pink for breast cancer:
October 1, Delta Air Lines “Breast Cancer One” employee survivor flight took off for its 11th year with more than 140 employee breast cancer survivors, along with executives and leaders from Delta and Breast Cancer Research Foundation, according to a news release from Delta on Thursday.
The journey from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to Mexico City International Airport in Mexico on the newly repainted iconic “Pink Plane” marks the flight’s first international route and the airline’s focus on expansion in Latin America and the Caribbean. The flight showcases the international scope of Delta’s effort to end breast cancer, according to the release.
“We are proud to showcase on a global scale, our commitment to finding a cure,” says Sandy Gordon, Delta’s vice president of In-Flight Service.
“Our 80,000 employees worldwide look forward to this campaign each year and rally together to find new, innovative ways to generate awareness and funds for BCRF,” continues Sandy. “We are grateful for our employees and customers for their continued passion and support as we work together to eradicate breast cancer.”
Select Delta customers chosen through the airline’s Unsung Hero social media contest and SkyMiles Experiences online auction were also aboard the flight.
This is the second year that Delta selected two breast cancer survivor customers or customers who are currently under treatment for the disease and their “Unsung Hero” guests joined the flight. Three new additions to the flight included Delta customers who donated a total of 263,071 miles toward BCRF and its efforts to eradicate breast cancer.
Colleagues from Delta’s partner airline in Mexico, Aeromexico, also took part in the experience highlighting the international scope of the effort to end breast cancer.
Survivors were honored during a gatehouse event in New York and an event in Aeromexico’s hangar in Mexico City.
In Mexico, survivors will be treated to an overnight stay which will include dinner and a meet-and-greet with Dr. Sofia Merajver, one of BCRF’s world-renowned researchers.
The flight kicks off Delta’s month-long campaign to generate awareness – including the signature flight attendant and employees’ uniforms turning pink and pink products available on board and in Delta Sky Clubs – and raise funds for the BCRF.
Delta has raised more than $9.2 million for BCRF from the proceeds from the airline’s pink products and other efforts by employees, customers and their friends and family members since 2005, including last year’s $1.3 million, according to the release. In total, the contributions have funded 37 different research projects over the years.
“Delta has been instrumental in advancing the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s mission to be the end of breast cancer,” says Myra Biblowit, president of BCRF, in the release. “Delta’s commitment is clear: over the last decade, they have solidly moved the dial on raising awareness and saving lives through research.”
American Airlines, which has supported the fight against breast cancer for more than 30 years, also launched its Be Pink campaign, according to a September 30 news release from the airline.
In 2014 alone, the airline, its employees and customers helped raise more than $1 million to support the cause.
Throughout the month customers will be able to join American Airlines’ more than 100,000 employees to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which it is the official airline of the foundation.
American Airline employees will be decked out in special Be Pink accessories and serving Be Pink-themed food and drinks in the air and in select Admirals Club lounges to support breast cancer research and awareness.
Passengers will also be able to make a $25 donation to the airline’s Miles for the Cure® program. With the donation, passengers will be eligible to earn 20 AAdvantage reward miles instead of the normal 10 reward miles.
The airline is also celebrating its 21st American Airlines Celebrity Golf and Tennis Weekend, October 8 – 11 in Southern California. The premier charity golf tournament is presented by Konica Minolta and hosted by the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort and the Del Mar Country Club. Since 1995, it has raised more than $11.5 million for the foundation.
Need a comfortable place to rest your head? These hotels will help you rejuvenate from a long trip or a day of having fun as well as raise funds for breast cancer.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Worldwide
Guests will get pinked at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino for 16th annual Pinktober campaign supporting breast cancer.
The global hotelier raises millions of dollars through its fans and supporters buying up its rock ‘n pink collectables merchandise that 15% – 75% (depending on the item) of the proceeds benefit the BCRF and The Caron Keating Foundation in its efforts to support breast cancer awareness and research, according to the global hotelier’s website.
Guests at one of the newest Hard Rock locations, South Lake Tahoe, will get a sweet treat and support breast cancer in a rock n’ way with pink cupcakes by Cakes by the Lake. The hotel partnered with local cup cake bakery to create the delectable treats that include flavors such as pink lemonade with pastel pink lemon cream cheese icing, spice cupcakes with pink plain cream cheese, and other flavors will be for sale at Fuel; the property’s grab and go quick service eatery. Each cup cake is topped with pink heart shaped or pink breast cancer ribbon sprinkles.
A portion of the cup cakes proceeds, 50%, throughout October will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Northern Nevada.
“We were pleased to be able to partner with another South Lake Tahoe business to help a very worthy cause,” says Chris Fiumara, vice president and general manager of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, in a September 17 news release from the hotelier.
Peninsula Hotels, Worldwide
To mark breast cancer awareness month, this global luxury hotelier is celebrating its 5th anniversary of its Peninsula en Rose campaign with this year’s theme, “The Art of Pink.”
The campaign stretches across the globe at all 10 of the hotel’s locations from Hong Kong to New York to Manila, to name a few.
Guests will enjoy limited-edition Oscar de la Renta amenities and toiletry bags in each of the suites.
The five-star hotel offers guests a French-inspired afternoon tea, ‘The Art of Pink Afternoon Tea,’ with rose-tinted nibbles made onsite by each property’s pastry chef. The bar will also be serving up the ‘Pretty in Pink’ cocktail.
The Peninsula en Rose campaign work to raise consciousness and funds for breast cancer charities around the world. A percentage of the proceeds will go toward breast cancer research and awareness.
Conrad Macao, Cotai Central, Hong Kong
The Conrad Macao celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month with its Plush for Pink campaign.
Guests of the Four-Star hotel, which is a member of the Hilton family of hotels, will be greeted by pink floral arrangements and related décor upon entering the hotel throughout October.
Guests will be able to choose between two themed upgrade packages (which include complimentary Wi-Fi, late checkout and more) and they will be able to select special dishes from the hotel’s signature restaurant, Dynasty 8’s, pink menu or enjoy a pink-themed afternoon tea at The Lounge.
At the end of the meal diners will receive either the hotel’s signature Conrad bear or Daisy duck.
A percentage of the proceeds from the hotel rooms booked and dining at the restaurant will be donated to the Hong Kong Cancer Fund along with 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the teddy bear and rubber ducks.
Provenance Hotels, Pacific Northwest, US
Guests can book a room using the special We Heart Boobies room rates at any of the Provenance Hotels throughout October, reports Forbes. The Pacific Northwest hotelier has several hotels stretching from Portland to Seattle – including Seattle’s Hotel Max, where Girls That Roam has stayed – as well as hotels in Nashville, Tennessee and New Orleans, Louisiana.
The hotel is also selling “I heart boobies” bracelets and pink cocktails in its bars.
A percentage of the proceeds, 10%, from booked rooms and merchandise will be donated to the Keep A Breast Foundation. The foundation raises awareness and educates through creative expression highlighting the stages of breast cancer from prevention to support.
Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Florida, US
Guests will enjoy a change of scenery as the blue exterior and interior walls are splashed with pink light and special amenities aimed to raise money for breast cancer for the annual Bleau Goes Pink initiative during October.
The Miami-based hotel partnered with the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation to raise funds through special dining, spa and retail promotions.
Guests will be able to select from spa treatments such as the Pink Swarovski Crystal Pedicure or Belau Ocean Luxuries at the Four-Star Lapis The Spa at Fontainebleau or dinner at four-star restaurants Hakkasan Miami or Scarpetta, or prix fixe dinner at any one of its fine dining establishments Michael Mina 74 or La Côte.
An undisclosed percentage of your dinner or spa will be donated to the foundation.
M Resort Spa Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Guests will be able to enjoy one of three special treatment packages at the four-star Spa Mio to support breast cancer. They will also be able to shop for items marked down by 20 percent and sporting a pink label. Proceeds will support the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, reports Forbes.
Red Lion Hotels and Hotel RL, Western US and Canada
The nearly 40, company-owned and franchised hotels located throughout the Western US and Canada, are going pink with its Go Pink campaign throughout October.
Guests, employees, and locals will step out to raise awareness for early detection at local Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Walks. Guests and locals can get information about local walks and make donations in the self-serve donation baskets at any one of the chain’s hotel lobbies.
The hotelier is also taking its initiative online and social encouraging guests to post stories about “Who Inspires You” using the #RedLionGoesPink. Guests who share their experiences will have a shot at winning a 2-night stay every week throughout October.
Additionally, the new upscale brand, Hotel RL, will get dressed up in pink with its Dressed In Pink campaign. The hotels will be flush with pink lighting and digital pink logos and pink ribbons will be displayed in its extended lobby where an array of events will be hosted at all of the hotel’s locations throughout the month.
To book your next trip, contact Heather Cassell at Girls That Roam Travel at Travel Advisors of Los Gatos at 408-354-6531at or and request to be booked at one of these and other Breast Cancer supporting travel providers.
To contract an original article, purchase reprints or become a media partner, contact .
