In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are highlighting the stories and the strength of several SkyWest employees who have shared their personal experiences with battling cancer.

Christin B. – SBP Ramp Agent

In June 2024, Christin was diagnosed with breast cancer, and her world suddenly shifted. Her days became filled with doctors, treatments, and uncertainty for the future. During this time, she said she made a conscious decision to only focus on what she could control. 

Christin says that her work at SkyWest became her lifeline. It helped ground her and kept her focused on the present moment. 

“The ramp is demanding. Every task requires focus and precision. From moving aircraft to loading baggage and supporting my team, there’s no room for distraction. Out on the tarmac, cancer couldn’t consume me,” Christin said. “Each shift gave me a sense of purpose, a reminder that I was capable of showing up strong, no matter what was happening behind the scenes.”

Christin says she is also grateful for her colleagues, who became like family to her. Their encouragement, teamwork, and support helped her to remain hopeful. 

Now, almost on the other side of her cancer journey, Christin can reflect and see the important role that resilience and a positive attitude played in her recovery. As she prepares to return to work, she feels stronger than before, and says she is ready to rejoin her team with a renewed sense of purpose.

“For me, SkyWest was more than an employer; it was a reminder that even in life’s most difficult seasons, strength is found when you focus on what you can control and lean on the people who believe in you.”

Alex S. – SGU, Customer Service Agent

In October 2021, Alex noticed a large lump on his neck that continued to grow. After meeting with an oncologist and receiving a biopsy, he learned that he tested positive for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Further scans revealed that he had cancer all over his neck, chest, and throughout his lymph nodes. 

After discussing treatment options with his doctor, Alex started down the long road to recovery. It started with six rounds of chemo every two weeks and 25 rounds of radiation. After another scan in March 2022, he began radiation treatment and was declared in remission by July. 

In January 2023, Alex learned his cancer had aggressively returned and spread to multiple organs. He was referred to the University of Arkansas for intensive treatment, including 11 chemo drugs, immunotherapy, and a bone marrow transplant. During his treatment Alex had to spend a month in isolation during recovery and was released after a successful engraftment. 

“It has now been two years since that day and I’m still in remission! It was a long, painful, and emotional road, but I’m extremely grateful for the second chance at life and being able to tell my story,” Alex said. “If you’re fighting, stay strong and positive. Surround yourself with love and people who support you and push you to do better. If I can do it, anybody can do it.”

Lorie L. – SAN Flight Attendant

Lorie began working for SkyWest nearly two decades ago. She remembers those early days with pride as she was pinning on her wings for the first time, and striving every day to honor her role as a flight attendant with the best regional airline in the industry. 

“Life in aviation is not always smooth skies. There are delays and unpredictable schedules, but I have learned how to serve with grace under pressure and how to find joy in the journey,” Lorie says.

Lorie believes that the discipline, resilience, and adaptability she has learned at SkyWest are the same qualities that helped her push through her battle with breast cancer.

“When I finally heard the words ‘cancer free,’ I realized the lessons I learned in the skies helped me push through treatments, surgeries, and countless difficult days,” Lorie said. “As I look back on my career with SkyWest and my journey as a survivor, I see a story of strength, gratitude and growth. My wings may have started as a symbol of my career, but they have become a reminder that no matter the turbulence, I can rise above it.”