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K.I. SAWYER -- It had all the fixings of a direct flight from K.I. Sawyer to Chicago, but Thursday an aircraft at Sawyer International Airport also took off on another journey:  putting an end to breast cancer.

American Eagle is taking on the fight against breast cancer through their "Fly for The Cure" partnership program with Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  They've decked out eight aircrafts permanently with pink ribbons to help raise awareness and funds in the fight against breast cancer.

"It's a big flying billboard that lots of people will see, and we hope it raises the awareness and make them think about it, as we all have been touched by this," says Director of Basic Contract Maintenance Steve Rogers.

It's enough pink to make you take a second look, and that's exactly what American Eagle is aiming to do.

Passengers boarded Thursday morning on a trip to Chicago, and the entire airport, including the crew itself, was 'pinked out' for a cure.  It was all to honor breast cancer survivors, some with special ties to American Eagle.

While all of the employees donned pink, this celebration had a special meaning for three women who are actually breast cancer survivors themselves.  The women say the support they received at the airport is a big reason they can call themselves 'survivors.'

Cindy Tonak was just diagnosed with breast cancer last February.  She was able to continue to work at the airport during treatment with the support of her coworkers.  As of September, she's cancer free.

"A lot of people are afraid to tell their employers, and they're afraid to say something for fear that you're going to be looked at differently," said Tonak.  "My employer did not, they embraced me."

Other survivors say that's just how their coworkers are at American Eagle, even the ones you might not expect to see in pink.

"We all wore pink ribbons one day, even the mechanics," says survivor Linda Peterson.

Now they're working for American Eagle in an even more personal way, fighting for women to defeat breast cancer through annual mammograms and early detection.

American Eagle has pledged to raise one million dollars annually for the next eight years for the cure.