Support WICC at Relay For Life

100 percent of funds raised goes directly to cancer research

TORONTO, April 5, 2016 /CNW/ - Women In Insurance Cancer Crusade (WICC) is pleased to once again support the Canadian Cancer Society's (CCS) Relay For Life events across Ontario. The insurance industry-hosted Relay For Life takes place in Toronto on Friday, June 17 at Downsview Park from 6 p.m. to midnight.

"Our Relay For Life is a great event that brings insurance colleagues and their friends and families together in a true team effort to raise money for cancer research," said Relay For Life Co-Chair Shari Dodsworth, Senior Vice President, Sales & Distribution at Northbridge Insurance. "Funding research is essential to progress, and it's our way of helping to eliminate cancer from our vocabulary."

Marking its 20^th anniversary, WICC has supported Relay For Life for the last seven years and continues to be a very significant corporate contributor through sponsorship and fundraising. Relay For Life is the Canadian Cancer Society's signature fundraiser walk, and the committee is aiming to beat last year's amazing numbers. In 2015, the Relay engaged 71 teams raising $243,000 in donations and $171,000 in corporate sponsor support, for a total of $414,000.

"We're so proud of how the Relay event and the money it raises continue to grow," said Paul Martin, Relay For Life Past Co-Chair and President and COO of RRJ Insurance Group. "The insurance industry has really stepped up to the challenge and backs its commitment to support the health of people in their local communities."

A perfect example of this commitment is found at Economical Insurance, where the company's national Relay sponsorship dollars already total more than $109,000 this year.

"At Economical, how we operate reflects our values and who we are as a company," said Tom Reikman, Economical's Senior Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer. "Many of us have experienced cancer in some way, and it's important for Economical to help fund cancer research, both as an employer and insurance provider." 

Since 1947, CCS has put collective donations of $1.4 billion toward research which has led to new technology and innovations.

Accept the baton! Learn more and register today at relayforlife.ca/wicc. To register a team for a Relay For Life event in a different location, visit relayforlife.ontario.ca or call 1-866-201-6202.

SOURCE Insurance Bureau of Canada

Image with caption: "Women In Insurance Cancer Crusade (CNW Group/Insurance Bureau of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160405_C2099_PHOTO_EN_658091.jpg

Image with caption: "Relay For Life (CNW Group/Insurance Bureau of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160405_C2099_PHOTO_EN_658094.jpg

Ariella Kimmel, 416-362-2031 ext 4312, [email protected]