New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Fighting cancer became a mission for flight attendant Jane Mitchell in 2015 when her daughter was diagnosed with brain cancer. On board a flight last month, she shared her story with a celebrity customer: saxophonist Kenny G, who serenaded passengers in her daughter's honor in a video that went viral.
Jane showed him photos of last year's Delta Jet Drag, an annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society in which teams from across the airline compete to pull a 167,000-pound jet 20 feet in the fastest time.
"That looks pretty cool,"
Kenny G commented. Jane suggested, "You should come to Jet Drag," to which
Kenny G replied, "Maybe I will."
To Jane's surprise, he did. Last Friday in Atlanta,
Kenny G suddenly walked up behind Jane, sax in hand. She squealed and beamed.
Kenny G posed for photos, helped pull the plane on Jane's Jet Drag team and performed during the Relay for Life.
Kenny G's arrival was one of numerous heartwarming moments as thousands of Delta employees from all over the world descended on the TechOps facility for Jet Drag and Relay For Life, Delta's biggest American Cancer Society fundraisers of the year.
The two were combined for the first time this year, making for the biggest event yet in honor of Delta's 15-year partnership with the Society.
"Participating in Jet Drag was one of the highlights of my career," stated Kenny. "The look of surprise on Jane's face meant so much to me and knowing that we raised over $2.25 million for the American Cancer Society is truly incredible."
For Jane, the day was about honoring her daughter and defeating cancer. Her team raised a whopping $120,000. "This is personal for me," she said. "I'm on a mission to raise as much as I can for research. That's a promise I made."
In all, more than 100 employee teams tested their strength against the Boeing 757. Each team raised at least $1,500, contributing to Delta's goal of raising $2.25 million to fund cancer research, patient service programs and advocacy.
Meanwhile, participants on Relay teams took turns walking throughout the whole eight-hour event in support of the ongoing battle cancer patients' face. Delta's corporate Relay event is the largest relay in the U.S.
As
Kenny G played, attendees held candles in silent remembrance of those who have lost the battle with cancer and in support of those still fighting the battle.
About Kenny G
In January 2015,
Kenny G reached another career milestone with the release of his fourteenth studio album Brazilian Nights via Concord Records. The ten-song set, Kenny's tribute to the 'masters' of Bossa Nova, is a mixture of classics and
Kenny G originals. Melodies and music have long been a signature part of Kenny G's life. Since releasing his self-titled debut disc in the fall of 1982,
Kenny G has become the biggest selling instrumental musicians of the modern era and one of the best-selling artists of all-time with global sales totaling more than 75 million records. His biggest album was 1992's Breathless - which sold a staggering twelve million copies in the United States alone. In addition, his 1994 Christmas disc Miracles: The Holiday Album ranks as one of the most successful Yuletide albums ever - with sales over eight million copies.
Seven of his singles have hit the Top-40 on the Billboard Hot 100. He has also been ranked as one of the most-played artists in the Adult Contemporary format - with nine top ten singles.
Kenny G has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the business during his legendary career, ranging from
Michael Bolton to
Katy Perry to
Weezer to Whitney Houston.
Kenny G is about to embark on a U.S. tour with jazz great
George Benson.
For more information and tour dates, visit www.kennyg.com.
