ATLANTA (CBS46) –

Delta Airlines hosted a unique function during its week of fundraising events for cancer research: a jet pull. Teams of Delta employees from around the world took turns, competing to pull a Boeing 757 jet 20 feet in the fastest time.

The fundraising event was held at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport on Friday morning, one of 100 events the airline had planned for the week in partnership with the American Cancer Society. The airline expected to raise $1.3 million to benefit cancer research.

“We’re committed to the fight against cancer, and we like to have fun doing it,” said Delta’s Chief Operating Officer, Gil West. “This is a great event for us, the competition is good. There’s also something about coming together to fight cancer as a whole.”

Seventy-two teams of Delta employees from around the world competed in the jet pull at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport Friday morning. Each team was required to raise $1,000, for cancer research, prior to participating.

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