Economical commits $109,500 to the fight against cancer

Insurer supporting the Canadian Cancer Society with title sponsorship for 10 Relay For Life events in Ontario and Quebec

WATERLOO, ON, June 1, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, 63% of adults and 83% of children survive at least five years from their cancer diagnosis, compared to 25% in the 1940s when the Canadian Cancer Society first began funding research. Tremendous progress has been made against the disease but overall cancer cases are increasing because of Canada's growing and aging population.

For 16 years, Relay for Life, the national signature event of the Canadian Cancer Society, has been the biggest cancer fundraising event in Canada. In 2015 alone, 331 communities across the countries united at these events raising $34 million to advance cancer research and support Canadians living with cancer.

This June, Economical Insurance is proud to once again support the Canadian Cancer Society with a commitment of $109,500 in title sponsorship of 10 Relay For Life events in Ontario — three in Ottawa, two in Toronto and one in Mississauga, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Woodstock — in addition to an event at Quartier DIX30 in Brossard, Quebec.

"Corporate sponsorships are essential to the success of our Relay For Life events," says Lesley Ring, vice-president, development and marketing for the Canadian Cancer Society in Ontario. "We deeply thank Economical Insurance and its employees for generously supporting us for the past 10 years."

"At Economical, we have proudly sponsored Relay For Life events since 2006," said Karen Gavan, Economical's president and chief executive officer. "This year, we have raised our sponsorship commitment toward the fight for life and against cancer. Relay For Life helps to fund life-saving cancer research and promote healthy lifestyles which can help stop cancer before it starts. It's also good to know that the Canadian Cancer Society offers compassionate services and support to those living with cancer and their families and friends."

These events are six- or 12-hours long and challenge teams to fundraise and take turns walking or running around a track for 5 km, 10 km or more. People can participate in these events at any age or fitness level. Teams go the distance to show support for people who have experienced cancer. Since 1999, Relay For Life has raised more than $496.5 million in Canada for cancer research and support programs.

This June, join Economical Insurance and its employees by registering for a Relay For Life event. Learn more at relayforlife.ca

About Economical Insurance
Founded in 1871, Economical is one of Canada's leading property and casualty insurers, with $2.0 billion in premiums during 2015 and $5.3 billion in assets as at March 31, 2016. Based in Waterloo, this Canadian-owned and operated company services the insurance needs of more than one million customers across the country. Economical conducts business under the following brands: Economical Insurance, Economical, Western General, Economical Select, Perth Insurance, Sonnet, Economical Financial, and Family Insurance Solutions.

SOURCE Economical Insurance

Image with caption: "Economical Insurance (CNW Group/Economical Insurance)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160601_C5305_PHOTO_EN_703690.jpg

Doug Maybee, Economical Insurance (http://www.economicalinsurance.com/), (T) 519.570.8249, (C) 519.404.0989, [email protected]