October is breast cancer awareness month, an international health campaign organised by major breast cancer charities every October around the world.

During this month Air Malta will be supporting Europa Donna Malta, the local charity dedicated to this cause. The aim of this fundraising campaign is to help increase attention among the airline’s passengers about awareness and early detection of breast cancer.

Air Malta’s cabin crew will be distributing pink ribbons and collecting donations from passengers on selected flights to help this Maltese charity organisation. Last year €1,967 were collected.

The donations collected will help fund printing of communication material to raise awareness among women on the importance of healthy food and exercise – two important factors that could lower the risk of developing breast cancer.

Sharon Cassar Laudi, the newly elected vice president of Europa Donna Malta, thanked the national airline for its continuous support year after year, saying it was only through the generosity of the public and organisations such as Air Malta that they could continue supporting the community.

Europa Donna Malta (formerly the Breast Care Support Group) is a voluntary non-profit-making NGO active since 1989. Its mission is to raise awareness and support patients and families passing through the trauma of breast cancer.

Throughout the year, the group works hard to organise awareness campaigns and holds talks in schools and at the workplace. The group operates a 24 X 7 support line (9999 4666), which handles a large number of calls and offers one-to-one counselling. All services and materials are free.

This campaign also forms part of Air Malta’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, whereby the airline supports organisations that work hard within the Maltese community.

This campaign is being organised with the assistance of Sky Gourmet (Malta), the airline’s catering supplier.