First in a series.

Recently, Flagship News casually asked its readers, "Got A Web Site?" The idea was to show off the creativity and online entrepreneurship of the AA family. The responses came pouring in, showing off sites ranging from the cute to the clever, with a wide variety of designs.

None quite matched the poignancy of the simple, heartfelt site called Pink Ribbon Gifts, whose owner retired from AA in March of 1999 after 13 years as a passenger service agent at LAX.

"My name is Dianne White Crawford," she wrote. "In October of 1997, I was diagnosed with breast cancer."

"I actually had my AA uniform on and was going to work when I was given the diagnosis," recalls Crawford. "My life was changed forever. Due to the length of my treatment and recovery I was never able to return to work. I loved my job and it was very difficult to see a life without it."

That changed, she remembers, "when I realized that I wanted to give back to my community and do something good with the rest of my life." She designed a logo based on the familiar "pink ribbon" insignia of those involved in the battle against breast cancer, and with the help of her son designed the Web site.

The pink ribbon logo she designed is embroidered on polo shirts, sweatshirts, denim shirts, aprons and visors, and is available on pins; she donates a portion of each sale to breast cancer awareness education.

"This is my way of doing something to help," says Crawford. "I can't begin to tell you how rewarding it was for me this past October 8 — the third anniversary of my being cancer-free — to be able to donate $500 to my local cancer center. I believe they saved my life and now it is time for me to give back to this community."

Even though the profits she donates are generated from these sales, Pink Ribbon Gifts is not a typical "e-commerce" Web site of the type where you log on, enter a credit card number, and wait for your package. Though the site accepts Visa and Mastercard as well as checks and money orders, customers e-mail Crawford with their purchase request, and she responds to them personally to process the order.

So far, "advertising" for the site has been by simple word-of-mouth, but Crawford says proudly, "I speak to anyone who will listen. And thanks to AA and my ability to fly anywhere, I have been able to tell my story and raise awareness across America."

Crawford's cancer was missed on an earlier mammogram. "I realize how important it is to take charge of our own bodies. Early detection is the key to survival," she says. "Each morning I can hardly wait to jump out of bed and answer my e-mails. There are so many people who have no one to talk to and I have met some amazing — but scared — people. I want both men and women to be proactive in their healthcare. Awareness saves lives."

"In our society, cancer is really a four-letter word," says Crawford, the proud mother of three and grandmother of five. "But life isn't a map you chart for yourself. Sometimes, you have to go wherever it takes you."

Here's a thought; try letting it lead you to http://www.pinkribbongifts.com for a visit. And think about Dianne White Crawford's burning goal: "This has become my mission. Hopefully, with all the attention focused on this issue we will see a cure in our lifetime."

Got a Web site? Let us know. Send the URL along with your full name, station, work group and employee number to the contact information on page 2.