Hello, this is Charlie Ahmes with a message for Thursday, February 22

This year marks the third anniversary of our participation in the Y-ME Race, supporting the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. Y-ME is a Chicago-based non-profit organization that offers a nation-wide network of programs and services for women facing breast cancer. On Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13, they will sponsor a “Y-ME Race to Empower” in Atlanta , Chicago , Cleveland , Denver , Houston , Miami , Phoenix , Sacramento , San Diego , Seattle , Tulsa and Washington , D.C.

In recognition of our employees' outstanding performance over the last two years, the Y-ME organization has elevated United to a National Official Sponsor of the Race, the Official and Exclusive Airline of the Race in Chicago, and has honored us with the title sponsorship of the 5K Race, which will be called the “United 5K Race”.

During the first two years of our involvement, United employee teams raised more than $400,000 for Y-ME. Our fundraising goal for this year is $350,000. This ambitious goal is more than the amount we raised last year, which set a record as the most successful volunteer effort in our company's history. This year we're also raising the bar by aiming to increase the size of our corporate team to more than 2,500 participants.

I encourage you get involved in any way that you can. Find the Race in your city and walk or run. Perhaps you'd rather sponsor someone who is participating in the race or just make a donation to Y-ME. You can also help get the word out and encourage others to participate.

Most of us know someone who has, or is currently battling this disease. United flight attendant Kelli Towns, served as national spokesperson for Y-ME until she lost her battle to the disease in 2003. I can't think of a more fitting tribute to Kelli, and to all women in our lives diagnosed with breast cancer, than by supporting this year's Y-ME “Race to Empower” .

That's all for today. Fly safely.