OREANDA-NEWS. February 11, 2010. Transaero Airlines has renewed cooperation agreements with charity funds Podari Zhizn, Nastenka and Schastlivy Mir to assist with transportation of children with cancer. In 2010, Transaero will provide each fund with free tickets on domestic and international flights for up to 70 children with oncological and hematological diseases, including persons accompanying them, and medical professionals transporting donor bone marrow from abroad for transplant procedures in Russia.

The agreements were signed by Transaero General Director Olga Pleshakova and charity fund Podari Zhizn director Galina Chalikova, charity fund Nastenka chairman Jamilya Aliyeva and charity fund Schastlivy Mir chairman Alexander Slavic.

Ms. Pleshakova pointed out that Transaero Airlines intends to continue development of its charitable activities with its charity fund partners to provide ongoing support for children suffering from cancer. She noted that participation in volunteer activities has become an integral part of Transaero corporate culture.

Transaero initiated partnership with the funds Podari Zhizn, Nastenka and Schastlivy Mir in 2009. In the first year of cooperation, 200 patients flew with Transaero from regions throughout Russia as well as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to cancer clinics in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Germany, and Israel.

Cooperation strategy with charity foundations in 2010 will be strengthened through private donations raised from among Transaero employees and passengers. This February, the airline plans to install special donation points in airline offices, ticket outlets, and business class lounges.

In addition to sponsoring airfare for medical treatment, Transaero has comprehensive children’s health and wellness program including the Nazad v Budushee (“Back to Future") physical therapy and rehabilitation program for handicapped children, run in partnership with the Deti independent non-profit organization and the Center for Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology. This project has helped rehabilitate more than 350 children with oncological and hematological diseases.

Airline’s employee volunteers and their families are deeply involved in the program’s activities promoting the welfare of children. As part of company volunteer program Voyage Through Transaero-Land, Transaero employees organized more than 10 charity campaigns for children with oncological diseases in 2009, including a trip to St. Petersburg, a theatrical performance-running event, regular “Transaero Days" events in rehabilitation camps for disabled children, activity workshops and many other events.

Transaero’s corporate charity program and its projects to assist children suffering from oncological diseases were named the best in Russia in 2009 according to daily newspaper Vedomosti, PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Donors Forum non-profit partnership. The Russian Association of Managers awarded Transaero the first place in the Social Innovation category at the People Investor 2009 forum. The airline’s program to promote employee involvement in charitable activities was also awarded a high ranking. The Voyages in Transaero-Land program won the Volunteer of the Year award in the Corporate Volunteer Activity program established by the Moscow City Government.