30,000 Pink Ribbons Distributed to Employees Across MTA Network
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced customer-facing employees will be wearing pink ribbons for the month of October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. New York City Transit (NYCT) distributed 24,750 ribbons to bus operators, subway agents, cleaners, conductors and operators with an additional 4,000 pink ribbons distributed to Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad customer-facing employees. Bridges and Tunnels were sent 875 ribbons while Staten Island Railway employees also received an additional 375 ribbons to wear for a grand total of 30,000 ribbons across the MTA network. Pink ribbons serve as a reminder to the public about the dangers of breast cancer and importance of seeking out routine screenings, encouraging survivors and loved ones to share their experiences, and are an important way to show support for people in treatment.
“This is personal for me, my mother was a breast cancer survivor, and she lived almost 50 years after her bout of breast cancer, so part of what we’re trying to accomplish is to urge everybody – listen to your doctor, go through the preventative steps that you can do,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “We’re here to raise awareness and also to express support for those among us who have or will struggle with this incredible challenge.”
“The MTA is proud to take part in Breast Cancer Awareness Month which is all about building a supportive community and encouraging people to learn more about the disease,” said MTA Acting Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. “Many members of the MTA have been affected by breast cancer and by wearing these ribbons their colleagues are showing they care.”
"Thousands of Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North riders will see employees' pink ribbons, amplifying the reach of Breast Cancer Awareness Month," said LIRR Interim President and Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi. "I'm thrilled the railroads are taking part in a campaign that not only spreads awareness to the public but also encourages employees to show their support for all those affected by breast cancer."
“Now the millions of people who take the subway every day will see these pink ribbon reminders all month long and be encouraged to take action and learn more,” said NYC Transit Senior Vice President of Subways Demetrius Crichlow. “We are proud to stand in allyship with those still battling breast cancer and those who survived. It’s wonderful to see so many New York City Transit employees doing their part to raise awareness and show their support for this important cause.”
“It is very important that you get checked – if you think it’s something just have it looked at, because the alternative is that you’re not going to be here with your family and they would rather you here,” said LIRR Lead Transportation Manager Charmaine Fraser. “Thankfully with my colleagues in the Rules Office, that’s where I work, they were very helpful to make sure that I was OK because I worked the entire time, took off only to go to the treatments, and rested when I needed to, and they made sure that that was good.”
“I did 30 rounds of radiation unfortunately – all of this while still working just like Charmaine,” said LIRR Maintenance of Equipment Gang Foreman Randy Harris. “I must say that none of this would have been possible without the support of my family, my friends, the Maintenance of Equipment Department, my managers, my fellow West Side Yard Gang Foremen, our manpower staff and all of the craft workers. I am so appreciative of every one of them. So my advice to both men and women is to check yourself monthly and to get screened because early detection is vital and for that I am thankful to be standing here today.”
MTA Headquarters will be participating in a non-competitive walk later this month to raise awareness and build supportive communities. Another group of MTA Police Department employees will also be participating in the walk.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the MTA participated in Breast Cancer Awareness Month by handing out pink masks to riders.