Three Delta Air Lines employees, Chandra DeSosa, Tiwana Porter, and Dawn Oklesson, have formed a close bond through their shared experience as breast cancer survivors. Despite coming from different backgrounds and working in various departments across the company’s 100,000-strong workforce, they describe their connection as a “Delta sisterhood.”
The three met earlier this year while participating in an event with other colleagues. They also took part in Delta’s annual Breast Cancer One charter flight. The women recently spoke about the importance of support from what is often called the “Delta family” during their cancer journeys.
Tiwana Porter, a reservations and care agent based in Minneapolis who was diagnosed in 2021, credited her supervisor for providing guidance and emotional support throughout her treatment. “She is my angel. I love her so much,” Porter said.
Dawn Oklesson received help from co-workers after her diagnosis in 2008; colleagues helped transport her to medical appointments and organized bake sales to raise funds for medical expenses. “Delta stood beside me the whole way,” said Oklesson, who began as a mechanic and now works in Atlanta TechOps.
Chandra DeSosa, a Florida-based flight attendant diagnosed ten years ago, recalled that a fellow flight attendant accompanied her to treatments. She said: “Delta was just being Delta. Being awesome and always being there, and treating everybody like family and backing us up 110% — on and off the job.”
All three credit the culture at Delta for fostering this supportive environment. They also cited Delta’s partnership with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) as helpful for accessing resources such as mammograms and research information.
“It was the power of this organization, Delta and the BCRF, that I was able to add what I already knew to help her navigate,” Porter explained when describing how she supported her cousin after a recent cancer diagnosis.
Oklesson encouraged new employees by saying: “Appreciate what you have. Appreciate the job. Appreciate Delta.”
The women hope that by sharing their stories they can inspire others facing similar challenges.
