Jets go pink to aid Komen

Video: Watch the sendoff of American Airlines’ pink-ribbon jet.

A Tulsa plane is among the first to take off wearing the cancer awareness group's symbol.

American Airlines usually sports the U.S. flag colors: red, white and blue.

But eight of its planes soon will show a lot of pink in the form of a nose-to-tail ribbon in honor of the company's partnership with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast-cancer awareness and research organization.

American displayed the first pink-ribbon jetliner to take flight Monday in front of hundreds of cancer survivors and other guests at its Maintenance and Engineering Facility in Tulsa.

"This is the largest logo we've ever put on the planes," said Fred Cleveland, the airline's vice president for base maintenance. "It affects many of our employees, many of our lives, and this is a tangible symbol of our partnership."

The partnership between Komen and American includes a pledge of at least $8 million toward research and treatment of inflammatory breast cancer, including work at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Hala Moddelmog, Komen's CEO and president, said at the news conference that inflammatory breast cancer is one of the forms of cancer about which little is known.

"IBC is very aggressive, it's very difficult to diagnose, and it is very deadly," she said. "This event is, in a sense, a culmination of our partnership with American."

American also unveiled a pink-ribbon American Eagle plane Monday at Abilene Regional Airport in Texas.

Both the Tulsa and Abilene planes made their inaugural flights Monday to Dallas, staffed by flight attendants who had survived cancer.

American will unveil six more pink-ribbon planes this month.

Among those at Monday's ceremony was Ricardo Chavira of television's "Desperate Housewives," whose mother died of breast cancer.

Chavira said he and his sister would bicycle to the store for groceries and help around the house throughout more than seven years of their mother's treatment.

"It wasn't fun for a child my age, and it certainly wasn't fun for my mother when you're lying on the couch dealing with chemotherapy," the actor said.

"I find it much more rewarding that I'm recognized for my work with Komen than for work I do on my show."

Donna Maledon, a cancer survivor from Jenks, said she enjoyed the ceremony, especially Chavira's message.

"I was surprised to learn about the actor from 'Desperate Housewives' and loved to hear his story," said Maledon, 53.

"It was just heartwarming knowing how many people go to an event like this.

"I'm an American Airlines employee, so I'm extra proud of this partnership. It means a lot."

Christy Southard, executive director of Komen's Tulsa affiliate, said the Tulsa area will have another chance to help: The group is seeking runners, walkers and volunteers for this year's Race for the Cure on Sept. 20.

Hopefully, Southard said, the large pink ribbons on the planes will remind women to schedule mammograms and make everyone aware that breast cancer affects everyone, men and women alike.

"We've always had a local sponsorship with American, but to have this is extremely exciting for us," she said.

Althea Peterson 581-8361
althea.peterson@tulsaworld.com

Race for the Cure

What: 12th annual Komen Tulsa Race for the Cure

When, Where: Sept. 20, City- Plex Towers, 2488 E. 81st St.

Benefits: Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a breast-cancer research organization

For more: 744-5099 or tulsaworld.com/komentulsa

By the numbers

Eight: The number of American Airlines planes that will have a noseto- tail pink ribbon, applied by employee volunteers, to emphasize the company’s partnership with Komen for the Cure.

$8 million: The total pledged by American during the next eight years to heighten breast-cancer awareness and research of inflammatory breast cancer, a deadly and aggressive form of cancer.

757: The number of cancer survivors, family members and other guests who saw the newly painted American Airlines 757 on Monday at Tulsa International Airport. The jet was among the first of the pink-ribbon planes to take flight.

$791,000: The amount raised by Komen’s Tulsa aWliate in 2007, with $397,000 in grants to six local causes for breast-cancer awareness and research.

$2 billion: Komen’s planned investment worldwide during the next decade. Komen has invested $1 billion for breast-cancer research, education and health services since its beginning in 1982.

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Jets go pink to aid Komen

A Tulsa plane is among the first to take off wearing the cancer awareness group's symbol.

A Tulsa plane is among the first to take off wearing the cancer awareness group's symbol.

American Airlines usually sports the U.S. flag colors: red, white and blue.

Race for the Cure

By the numbers

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