Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has donated more than AED70,000 to assist the work of Breast Cancer Arabia (BCA) in providing support to women with breast cancer.

Aubrey Tiedt, Etihad Airways’ VP for guest services, and Linden Coppell, Etihad Airways’ head of sustainability, presented the check to Dr. Richard Reyes, medical director of BCA.

“We are very pleased once again to support breast cancer awareness initiatives within our local community. We believe it is important to raise awareness within the UAE and to help provide the necessary treatment and care to those women who don’t have the means to pay for it,” said Tiedt.

Etihad Airways recognizes the global breast cancer awareness month in October each year with a program to raise awareness of breast cancer among the staff and in the community.

Many of Etihad Airways’ staff were involved in fund raising activities and the airline’s guest services team organized healthy cooking classes and held a pink themed bake sale. Funds were also raised through the sale of pink ribbons and bracelets and through staff donations.

The airline has allocated the funds to BCA in recognition of the organization’s efforts in raising awareness about breast cancer and treatment options.

Breast Cancer Arabia works with treatment facilities that provide discounted rates to patients requiring treatment.

Dr. Reyes said: “We are grateful for the donation provided by Etihad Airways to support Breast Cancer Arabia. These funds will be used to help women who are simply not able to afford the care they need and thus giving them a greater chance of surviving this life threatening disease.”

According to the UAE Ministry of Health, cancer is the second-leading cause of death for women in the UAE, breast cancer being the most common type of cancer.