AMERICANWAY

IN THEIR OWN WORDS A A .COM/FINAL APPROACH In Their Own Words A FTER FINI SHING COLLEGE with a B.S. in microbiology, I decided I wanted to travel and see other cultures. I interviewed with American Airlines, went through a rigorous six-month training (I had chemistry courses that were easier) and was hired in August 1986. I began my career with American Airlines in the Reservations department and later transferred to the airport to become a Passenger Service Representative. I fell in love with the people and the company. I had been working at the airport for three years when I noticed a lump in my breast. I went to the doctor and was Encouraging Hope Three-time breast-cancer survivor Shandra Fitzpatrick brings her strength to the fight. Do you have a story to tell our passengers? Email us at ourcompany@aa.com told at the age of 31 that I had breast cancer. It was recom- mended that I have surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, so I did. Many things went through my mind: I had not gotten married or had children. I didn't know if I was go- ing to live or not. I was a complete mess. Through it all, the support of my immediate family and my American Airlines family were the wind beneath my wings. I remember many members of my American Airlines family coming to my home to spend time with me and to reassure me that they were with me every step of the way. Some would come with food, and others would come over with coloring books and crayons, which turned out to be very cathartic, much to my surprise. Some would come to share prayer time. Ten years later, I was diagnosed again with breast can- cer in the same breast. I could not believe the diagnosis. I thought I was going to lose it this time. At this point in my life, my mother and stepfather were deceased, I had only been married months and still had no children. I was again advised to have surgery, which was successful. Almost a year later, I was again diagnosed with cancer. Radiation and chemotherapy were recommended yet again. I was very angry. I felt that I ate reasonably healthy and had a good exercise routine. No one else in my family had ever been diagnosed with cancer. The love, support and prayers from my American Airlines family were very anchoring. After much soul- searching, I realized that I had survived cancer three times to give others hope. It was very important that I become transparent about my experiences so that others would feel comfortable discussing theirs. The most important lessons I took from my journey were that prayer works, and "each one help one" (EOHO). I share with the ones I come in contact with, like I'm grab- bing the hand of a soldier on the battlefi eld of this disease. I share their strength, experience and hope. Be Pink is important to me and countless others because for those who haven't been on the battlefi eld, it raises awareness that breast cancer isn't a death sentence. For those of us who have been on the battlefi eld one, two, or three times, it's a reminder that we must help and stand strong for those still fi ghting. Shandra Fitzpatrick found support in her own family and in her American Airlines family. N A M E : S h a n d r a F i t z p a t r i c k C I T Y : L o s A n g e l e s J O B : P a s s e n g e r S e r v i c e R e p r e s e n t a t i v e Y E A R S W I T H C O M P A N Y : 2 8 114 O C TO B E R 2 01 4 A A .CO M/A M E R I C A NWAY

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