The FlyPink 2019 campaign officially launches today (Tuesday October 15), kicking off a month-long fundraising and awareness campaign in partnership with Movember and the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).

The campaign aims to improve treatments and outcomes for people diagnosed with breast and prostate cancer.

This year's theme recognises that everyone knows someone whose life has been affected by cancer in one way or another.

The four crew members volunteered to participate in the launch flight into Port Macquarie with captain Kerry Scott having a particular reason for making the decision.

Captain Scott was born in the Port Macquarie and is a breast cancer survivor.

"I was born in Port Macquarie Base Hospital, the second daughter of five. My father was Tom Scott of Scott & Finlay Chartered Accountancy firm and I had the best childhood ever with beach and bush.

"I have many fond memories of my home town and still have friends from my childhood there and some extended family.

"My father used to commute to Sydney on the Fokker Friendship with East West airlines and this inspired me to be a regional pilot - linking families with loved ones and taking country people to the city and then returning them home to family.

"As a breast cancer survivor, my Qantaslink colleagues and managers were very supportive of me through my treatment and return to work and I am honoured to represent cancer survivors in the company.

"I have lost colleagues to cancer and it's so important that we continue to find research into prevention and survival," she said.

Captain Scott was diagnosed on January 10, 2012 and was notified by a "phone call that knocked me off my feet".

Her treatment included a mastectomy, 18 weeks chemotherapy and 10 phase radiation. This was followed by a preventative mastectomy the following February.

The impact on herself and her family was enormous.

"It's a pretty big question (the impact on you and your family)," she said.

"Cancer changes the way you look at life and the way you interact with family and friends. My family was (as is) my rock."

There were also other support mechanisms that kicked in too.

"The breast cancer support networks in this country are amazing and were instrumental in keeping me on track to recovery - especially on mental health aspects.

"My work colleagues were fantastic support as of course were my sisters and my mum - support is vital."

Captain Scott said the biggest lesson she has learnt from her journey is to be grateful. "Keep the glass half full," she said.

"Cancer isn't the end, but it's a shock and for those affected it's life changing.

"My message to Port Macquarie is to be there for your friends and family who are diagnosed and don't tell them how to cure themselves.

"Just be there to listen and hug and smile. Silent presence is still support."

First Officer Cameron Stuart started flying for QantasLink in 2018. After two and a half months with the airline he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

As a new employee, Cameron reached out to FlyPink founder Susan McHaffie for support and guidance. Cameron returned to flying six months after his diagnosis and things are looking good for him.

Flight attendant Fiona Crockett has been working as a flight attendant with Qantas for 19 years. In 2016 at the age of 46 she was diagnosed with breast cancer with no family history of the disease.

Fellow flight attendant Michelle Redman was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in 2016. Michelle counts her blessings and continues to do the job that she loves.

Funds are raised through the sale of 'FlyPink' pins and pink epaulettes donned by hundreds of pilots across the Qantas group and airlines worldwide.

This year's pin design includes the NBCF pink ribbon combined with the iconic Movember moustache after FlyPink 'grew a mo' last year to extend its fundraising reach.

QantasLink's Susan McHaffie started FlyPink in 2015 with the aim to raise $20,000 for breast cancer research.

Since then, FlyPink has raised an astounding $500,000 for the NBCF, Movember and affiliated overseas charities.

Also flying into Port Macquarie to launch FlyPink were 2019 Voice contestant Natasha Stuart, Movember's Mark Buzza and breast cancer foundation's Natasha Patton.

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