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Delivering Bear-y Big Smiles and Millions of Miles

Posted on: Wednesday, 25 February 2009, 14:18 CST

United Airlines customer service representatives, ramp employees, flight attendants and pilots deliver teddy bears to kids at Children's Memorial Hospital and University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital

CHICAGO, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Airlines employees today delivered teddy bears to kids undergoing cancer treatment at Children's Memorial Hospital and University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital through a collaboration with the American Cancer Society(R) that raised over 55 million Mileage Plus miles and $160,000. The miles will be used to provide flights to individuals who need to travel to receive treatment.

When customers donated at least 7,500 Mileage Plus miles or $50 during the initiative, United committed to delivering Maye I. Hugyou, an adorably soft GUND(R) teddy bear that was exclusively designed for this initiative, to a child undergoing cancer treatment.

"We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our customers in helping to fill tangible, practical needs for children and their families," says Sonya Jackson, president - United Airlines Foundation. "The current economic situation makes it more difficult for non-profit organizations to fulfill their important roles and now as much as ever, they need support."

United Airlines employees, including customer service representatives, ramp employees, flight attendants and pilots delivered Maye I. Hugyou to the children today. United employees will visit additional hospitals in Chicago tomorrow, as well as hospitals in Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington.

Maye is the successor and sister of Kenny Hugyou, who was delivered to children under the same initiative last year. The two campaigns generated more than 100 million Mileage Plus miles in donations, resulting in several thousand flights for individuals who need to travel to receive life-saving treatment.

About United

United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA) operates more than 3,000* flights a day on United and United Express to more than 200 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers based in the United States. United also is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to 912 destinations in 159 countries worldwide. United's 49,500 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the company's Web site at united.com.

*Based on United's flight schedule between Jan. 1, 2009, and Jan. 1, 2010.

SOURCE United Airlines

Source: PR Newswire

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