Waterloo, ON (May 2, 2013) – As the Canadian population continues to age, the Canadian Cancer Society estimates the number of new cases of cancer will increase by approximately 60 per cent over the next 20 years. Economical Insurance is proudly supporting the fight to eradicate this leading cause of premature death in Canada with a commitment of $62,500 in title sponsorships of three Relay For Life events in Ontario (Waterloo, Cambridge and Woolwich) and two additional events in Quebec (Montreal-centre and Quartier DIX30 in Brossard) this June.
“Relay For Life is our largest fundraising event of the year,” said Suzanne Dubois, executive director of the Canadian Cancer Society in Quebec. “Every dollar raised from these events helps the Canadian Cancer Society have more impact against more cancers in more communities than any other cancer charity in Canada.”
“Consider this: when the Canadian Cancer Society began 75 years ago, being diagnosed with cancer was a death sentence,” said Martin Kabat, CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society in Ontario. “Only 25 per cent survived. Of the 180,000 Canadians who will be diagnosed with cancer this year, 62 per cent will survive at least five years after their diagnosis.”
Relay For Life is a 12-hour overnight fundraising event that brings friends, families and survivors together to celebrate life and fight cancer. Teams of 10 to 15 gather with cancer survivors at a local track, stadium or sports field and take turns walking laps all night. Each team keeps at least one member on the track at all times, while all around them the party is in full swing. Teams stay overnight in the decorated tent city, united in their celebration of life with music, food, activities and entertainment.
“At Economical, we have proudly sponsored Relay For Life events in Waterloo Region since 2006,” said Karen Gavan, Economical�s president and chief executive officer. “This year, we are more than doubling our sponsorship commitment to help create a world without cancer. Relay For Life helps to fund life-saving cancer research and promote healthy lifestyles which can 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.”
About Economical Insurance
Founded in 1871, Economical Insurance is one of Canada’s leading property and casualty insurers, with more than $1.7 billion in premiums and $4.7 billion in assets. Based in Waterloo, this Canadian-owned and operated group services the insurance needs of more than one million customers through 17 branches and service offices across the country. In 2010, Economical announced its decision to become the first federally-regulated mutual property and casualty insurance company to demutualize. Economical is currently reviewing strategic options and will submit a comprehensive demutualization proposal for mutual policyholder approval after the federal government’s completion of demutualization regulations.
