Qatar Airways Group employees celebrated the award-winning business’ seventh consecutive year of participation in Breast Cancer Awareness month by breaking its own fundraising record to donate QR287,701 to cancer research on October 2021.
Staff across the Group came together to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a series of ‘Think Pink’ themed events focused on raising awareness and funds for cancer research and to support the efforts of Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) in helping people to fight the disease.
Activities included free ultrasound scan checkups carried out by medical professionals, a series of awareness sessions and workshops delivered by the Group’s doctors for female staff and awareness workshops delivered by the Group’s partner, King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Centre. The airline also sent targeted awareness messages throughout the month on the importance of regular check-ups, early detection and prevention of cancer. This was in addition to a ‘Ride for Pink’ spin bike challenge; women’s wellbeing yoga sessions; charity bazaar and bake sale fundraising events; handmade paintings and artwork; henna designs; food stations; quizzes; auctions; and raffle draws.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker said: “As we celebrate our seventh year of participation in this important annual event, it was incredible to see the entire Qatar Airways Group united as one family to once again show their commitment to raising awareness of breast cancer. The Group aims to set an example and inspire the communities it serves, as well as support those affected by the disease. Despite the recent challenges we have faced as a result of the pandemic, we have raised QR287,701 for Qatar Cancer Society, which is the highest fund donation raised by the Group solely and an achievement we can all be extremely proud of.”
“Education and awareness is the key to continuing the tremendous efforts being made across the globe to eradicate this devastating disease. Together we hope to reach as many people as possible, whether employees or passengers, and help save lives with vital information about the signs to look out for and where to go for help,” he said.
For his part, Qatar Cancer Society Chairman, Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Jabor Al Thani, thanked Qatar Airways for its support to the ‘Blossom’ campaign which falls in October each year to raise awareness on breast cancer, one of the most common types of cancer among women in Qatar, according to the Qatar National Cancer Registry.
Sheikh Dr. Al Thani said: “It was wonderful to see the phenomenal support from all individuals and institutions participating in the Blossom campaign throughout October to establish more community awareness activities.”
The airline marked its continuous support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, offering passengers an exclusive ‘Think Pink’ experience in the sky as well in Hamad International Airport lounges, including custom-designed limited-edition BRIC’S amenity kits and pink-themed special menus.
Qatar Airways won the Gold Award for ‘Best Social Media Campaign – Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2019’ for its achievements in maintaining employee engagement across a broad and diversified international workforce base as well receiving global recognition as the top corporate company on Social Media channels at the BOC International Awards 2020.
It also won two International Brilliance Awards in 2020 for ‘Brilliance in Employee Engagement in HR’ and the Gold Award for ‘Best Social Media Campaign – Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2019’, for its achievements in maintaining employee engagement across a broad and diversified international workforce base, as well as receiving global recognition as the top corporate company on Social Media channels at the International Brilliance Awards 2021 in London, UK.
