Watch: Pilot's Special Announcement Leaves Woman in Tears
When Jyrl Oldham boarded Southwest Airlines with her two friends, she was unaware of a surprising moment that would eventually go viral.
In March 2021, Oldham was pregnant when she found out that she had breast cancer, according to USA Today.
“She started treatments ASAP after her daughter was born in August 2021,” said Valeri Jones, one of her friends traveling with her.
“After almost passing away during one of her treatments, she thought a vacation was necessary to prove to cancer it hadn’t won and she still had the strength to go on with life!”
Oldham, 33, boarded the flight to Hawaii with her friends to celebrate being cancer-free.
In a heartwarming video Jones shared to her Instagram account, you can see the surprised look on Oldham’s face when Captain Cain says, “I would like to add a special welcome to a special guest on today’s flight. We have a passenger who’s headed to Hawaii with us today to celebrate her victory over late-stage breast cancer. She fought valiantly and is now cancer-free. Please join me in giving her, Jyrl Oldham, a round of applause.”
The beautiful gesture was set up by Oldham’s husband, Garrison, who reached out to the airline via email about his wife’s story.
“Jyrl, who is a former pilot herself, loved the announcement and was elated at the reaction the passengers on the plane gave her. It was a great way to kick off our trip,” Jones said.
The video has received more than 13 million views.
As for the trip, Jones shared that the trip was a success.
“She had a wonderful trip on the island of Kauai, we went hiking, kayaking, ziplining, and snorkeling proving to herself that cancer hadn’t won the fight and she was still capable of doing such fun, and exhausting activities!”
