Page 79 - AA 2018_11

FLYPINK

Movember’s annual moustache
campaign. Additionally,
Movember’s iconic moustache has
been combined with the National
Breast Cancer Foundation’s highly
recognisable ribbon; a move that
McHaffie hopes will spread the
message even further.
“This year we will see more
awareness as people can show their
support by wearing not just the
epaulettes, wings and pink ribbons,
but also the Movember moustache,”
McHaffie comments.
“It broadens the ways in which
people can get involved, and
extends the message further into
the community.”

Looking ahead
In just four years, Captain Susan
McHaffie’s idea of pilots wearing
pink epaulettes in support of breast
cancer research has grown into
a phenomenon, touching people
from all corners of the globe. A
search for FlyPink on social media
reveals thousands of photos of
support from many different
countries, representing an array of
airlines.
Yet FlyPink’s roots remain
firmly planted in Australia, with
Qantas employees being the heart
and soul of the campaign.
“The whole project has really
been an employee-driven project.
It’s a human collaboration between
people from all parts of Australia
and the world, all backgrounds and
nationalities,” McHaffie reflects.
“Cancer could touch each and every
a first-hand experience of what breast Growing a mo Funds raised by Qantas one of us and it’s been a privilege to
cancer patients go through,” McHaffie FlyPink isn’t the only cancer employees and customers will see FlyPink bring people together
recalls. awareness cause embraced by be equally shared between the way it has.”
“Any type of cancer treatment Qantas pilots. In fact, at around the the Movember Foundation and From idea to reality, McHaffie
comes with physical traumas, but time McHaffie established FlyPink, the National Breast Cancer has successfully seen FlyPink raise
there is also a mental trauma. Even Qantas Captain Luke Hanrahan Foundation. qantas awareness of not only breast cancer
after your treatment is completed and came up with the idea of changing Movember’s iconic moustache but all types of cancer. She feels
you get the all clear, it’s always in the the wings worn on pilots’ shirts to a has been combined confident in the future of FlyPink,
back of your mind.” moustache in support of Movember – with the National Breast with the initiative having gained a
Her personal experience with a leading charity for prostate cancer, Cancer Foundation’s highly momentum of its own.
breast cancer has made McHaffie a disease which affects over 17,000 Yet despite this, McHaffie is still
even more committed to FlyPink. She Australian men each year. recognisable ribbon. qantas very much involved, and doesn’t
has redoubled her efforts to expand In 2018 McHaffie and Hanrahan plan to step back any time soon.
awareness of breast cancer, as well have brought the two causes “I’ve got epaulettes stacked up
as normalise conversations about all together, to achieve a common everywhere in preparation for this
types of cancer, something that can goal of greater awareness and October,” she says with a smile. “It’s
make a significant impact on people’s support for finding a cure for cancer. a lot of work but everyone comes
understanding of the disease. Funds raised by Qantas employees together to help make FlyPink a
“If FlyPink can build awareness and and customers will be equally shared success. Volunteers, pilots, cabin
can help people feel more comfortable between the Movember Foundation crew, ground staff and airport staff
talking about cancer, it will make a and the National Breast Cancer all put their hands up to help out.”
big change to the levels of support Foundation. So, the next time you fly,
available to people, both going To mark the partnership, take a moment to reflect on the
through treatment and afterwards,” FlyPink’s activity will run into underlying message of FlyPink.
McHaffie adds. November to coincide with It might just save your life.
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