Put a Name on a Plane — Through Tomorrow

Tomorrow (July 31) is the final day a $25 donation will immortalize a loved one’s name on American Airlines’ Stand Up To Cancer plane.

That’s a heck of a deal for something so meaningful.

I donated $75 in honor of three people.

Ben at One Mile at a Time wrote about this earlier in July. And Major League Baseball has been promoting the heck out of it during MLB.tv broadcasts.

The Donation Process

Donating is fast, simple, and special.

**You can donate here**

The $25 minimum donation allows you to place one name on the plane.

You can add more names in separate donations of $25 each. In other words, one $100 donation won’t let you dedicate four people’s names. But four individual donations of $25 each will.

Add the person’s first name. Last names are optional.

You can even personalize the font in which the honoree’s name will be written! The Cedarville Cursive script reminded me of my mother’s handwriting.

That’s it. Press “Give Now” and that special person’s name will be included.

The transaction shows up on your statement as “Stand Up to Cancer,” so the US Bank FlexPerks Visa Signature card‘s charity bonus (2X) should kick in. Other than that, consider using a cashback card or perhaps a travel card for which you need to reach a minimum spend.

Where to Find the Plane

The Stand Up to Cancer aircraft is an A321-211. If the exact aircraft used in the campaign’s picture is indeed the Stand Up to Cancer plane, it will be tail number N161UW. (You can find it here on FlightAware.)

The finished product will be airborne in September — which is also when you can check back to see where your loved one’s name is written on the plane.

I Stand (er, Fly?) For…

I donated in honor of three very special people: my mother and my stepmom’s parents.

My Mom, Diane Carley

My mother was only 50 years old when she died a week before Christmas. Pancreatic cancer stole her from us 30 days after diagnosis.

She was an elementary school teacher, a huge Minnesota Twins fan, and an awesome mom.

Warren & Irene Diederich

My stepmom’s parents, Warren & Irene Diederich, were world travelers. Warren was a celebrated a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot for the Army Air Corp in World War II. He joined the informal “Lucky Bastard Club” after completing 25 missions (how awesome is that?!). He and his wife launched Industrial Builders, Inc. in Fargo, North Dakota.

Both died of leukemia.

Warren passed away in December 2008. Irene died only four months later in April 2009.

Airlines & Philanthropy: A Unique Partnership

I love creative ways — like the Stand Up To Cancer plane — for people to donate. Delta has its own tradition, the annual jet drag. Delta also recognizes October — Breast Cancer Awareness month — by going pink. The mothership also operates a special breast cancer survivor flight with employees, which anyone can bid on using SkyMiles. (This year’s auction has already expired. We’ll keep an eye peeled for next year’s!)

I Can’t Wait to See The Plane!

My house falls under one of the arrival patterns for Burbank airport. While only one AA route (PHX to BUR) operates Airbuses right now (319s, at that), it would be so cool to see the Stand Up to Cancer plane fly overhead. Maybe a little wing rock from the plane to say hello.

–Chris