Sunbeam® Expands Awareness and Fundraising Campaign of Canadian Cancer Society's Patient Transportation and Support Programs

Supports with Warmth™ campaign helps draw attention to the need to support these important services to ensure that no cancer patient gets left behind

TORONTO, Nov. 9, 2015 /CNW/ - This year, almost 200,000 Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer. For many Canadians, getting to all of their life-saving treatment appointments will be a challenging feat. In Ontario for example, one in five cancer patients cannot get to their life-saving cancer treatment appointments. It is for this reason that Sunbeam launched Supports with Warmth, an awareness and fundraising campaign in support of the Canadian Cancer Society's patient transportation and support programs.

In parts of the country, the charity provides financial reimbursement, lodging, and shared-ride programs to ensure access to safe and reliable transportation and accommodation for people who are undergoing treatment. Sunbeam wants to do its part to raise awareness of these important services.  

When the Supports with Warmth campaign launched last year, Sunbeam focused its efforts in Ontario, supporting the Wheels of Hope program. This year, Sunbeam will continue to support patient transportation efforts in Ontario and expand the campaign to support other programs in Alberta, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, and Yukon. In various provinces, the Canadian Cancer Society runs programs to help patients overcome transportation, financial and lodging hurdles, so that patients can focus on getting well and not worry about the logistics of accommodation and getting to and from treatment appointments.

"The patient transportation, financial assistance and accommodation programs offered by the Canadian Cancer Society help thousands of people each year who have no way of getting to treatment or can't afford the cost associated with travelling for their cancer-related care," said Tanya Nixon, Senior Manager of Transportation for the Canadian Cancer Society in Ontario. "The Supports with Warmth campaign is helping us promote our transportation and support programs and highlight the need for volunteers and donations – two critical things that make these programs possible."

"When we learned about the patient transportation and support programs offered by the Canadian Cancer Society, we wanted to help draw attention to these crucial services, as well as provide a little bit of warmth for those undergoing cancer treatment, "said Jamie Libregts, Senior Marketing Manager, Personal Comfort and Wellness, Sunbeam. "Almost everyone has been affected by cancer in some way.  Our hope is that the Supports with Warmth campaign helps raise awareness of these programs and the dedication of volunteers who make it possible that will hopefully motivate people to support the Society in whatever way they can."

Through Supports with Warmth, Sunbeam is donating almost 130,000 kilometres of patient transportation in Alberta, Northwest Territories and Ontario. In the hopes of bringing a little warmth and comfort to those dealing with cancer, Sunbeam is also donating 1,700 Heated Throws for distribution to cancer patients in Ontario, Alberta, Northwest Territories, British Columbia and Yukon.

Supporting Regional Initiatives

The Supports with Warmth campaign will help to support the following initiatives:

1. Volunteer-Provided Transportation Programs – Ontario, Alberta and Northwest Territories:
   • Volunteer-provided transportation programs helps patients who truly have no other way of getting to and from cancer-related care or who can't afford the costs associated with travelling.  Patients rely on the support of the Society volunteers who generously donate their time and vehicles.
2. Lodges and Financial Support Programs – British Columbia and Yukon:
   • Located in four key areas of the province – Victoria, Kelowna, Prince George and Vancouver - the lodges offer a comforting, supportive and restful place to stay for people undergoing treatment.  As well, the Financial Support Program and Financial Support Drug Program are also offered in B.C. to provide limited, short-term financial assistance to cover a portion of client's cancer-related transportation and accommodation expenses, as well as a portion of the cost of selected prescription medications that manage symptoms related to cancer treatment.

Canadians are encouraged to learn more and donate to the campaign by visiting supportswithwarmth.com.  The Canadian Cancer Society is always in need of more volunteers and donations. For more information on how you can help, please call 1-888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca.

About Sunbeam Products, Inc.
Since the introduction of its first electric appliance in 1910, the Sunbeam® brand has grown to a position of leadership in the consumer goods industry, and offers families practical, affordable solutions for everyday living. For over 50 years, Sunbeam has been the industry leader in warming products, blending technology, comfort, performance and style. The company's ultimate vision is to offer a wide range of choices that truly redefine how the world sleeps. Sunbeam Corporation (Canada) Limited, the Canadian sales, marketing and distribution office, is located in Brampton, Ontario. For more information on Sunbeam products, please visit www.sunbeam.ca.

About Jarden Consumer Solutions
Jarden Corporation is a diversified, global consumer products company with a portfolio of over 120 trusted, authentic brands. Jarden's record of strong financial performance and organic growth is supported by a focused operating culture coupled with value enhancing acquisitions and shareholder focused capital allocation. Jarden operates in three primary business segments through a number of well recognized brands, including: Branded Consumables: Ball®, Bee®, Bernardin®, Bicycle®, Billy Boy®, Crawford®, Diamond®, Envirocooler®, Fiona®, First Alert®, First Essentials®, Hoyle®, Kerr®, Lehigh®, Lifoam®, Lillo®, Loew-Cornell®, Mapa®, Millefiori®, NUK®, Pine Mountain®, Quickie®, Spontex®, Tigex®, Waddington®, Yankee Candle® and YOU®; Outdoor Solutions: Abu Garcia®, AeroBed®, Berkley®, Campingaz® and Coleman®, Dalbello®, ExOfficio®, Fenwick®, Greys®, Gulp!®, Hardy®, Invicta®, K2®, Marker®, Marmot®, Mitchell®, PENN®, Rawlings®, Shakespeare®, Squadra®, Stearns®, Stren®, Trilene®, Völkl® and Zoot®; and Consumer Solutions: Bionaire®, Breville®, Cadence®, Crock-Pot®, FoodSaver®, Health o meter®, Holmes®, Mr. Coffee®, Oster®, Patton®, Rainbow®, Rival®, Seal-a-Meal®, Sunbeam®, VillaWare® and White Mountain®. Headquartered in Florida, Jarden ranks #348 on the Fortune 500 and has over 35,000 employees worldwide. For further information about Jarden, please visit www.jarden.com.

About the Canadian Cancer Society

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer. Thanks to our donors and volunteers, the Society has the most impact, against the most cancers, in the most communities in Canada. Building on our progress, we are working with Canadians to change cancer forever. For more information, visit cancer.ca or call our toll-free bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333 (TTY 1-866-786-3934).

SOURCE Sunbeam Canada

Lauren Harrison, Cohn & Wolfe, 647-259-3265, [email protected]; Monica Rossa, Cohn & Wolfe, 647-259-3270, [email protected]