Launched in 2005, the WICC National Sponsors program started off as initiatives do – with a great deal of enthusiasm and hope. Board members across each of its Chapters united behind this new idea – to strike an agreement with sponsoring companies, recognizing their engagement, support and annual contributions of $15,000 or more through a robust and valuable fulfillment program. The insurance community responded with a passion – as it does – and before too long, the number of WICC National Sponsors were in the double digits and a demonstrable force behind WICC’s annual donations to the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). Our program has since shifted as necessary with new events and as digital forms of recognition have taken priority, in an ever-evolving fulfillment offering.
The National Sponsorship Program has grown in strength and numbers and is considered a vital component of WICC’s donation strategy. To date, our National Sponsors have contributed over $2 million of our total donation to CCS supporting the most important cancer research and care initiatives underway. WICC is honoured to have the support of 16 industry organizations each participating in the 3-year National Sponsorship program. We sincerely appreciate their sponsorship and strive to acknowledge their unparalleled support in everything we do.
Looking back on the past 15 years, the program has been a huge success for cancer and it has helped expand WICC’s mandate in ways we could never have imagined. We celebrate that success, shoulder to shoulder, with each of our National Sponsors at the annual WICC Ontario Gala dinner. We’re humbled by the sheer number of people who join us on stage for our yearly group photo – a visible reminder of the growing number of companies that recognize there has never been a more important time to give to cancer and that WICC is their charity of choice.
We want to take this time to thank all the incredible companies who have participated in this program over the past 15 years, the executives who have openly shared their stories of why cancer is an important cause for them personally and why their staff have selected to give through WICC. We want to thank the inspired WICC board members who have championed this portfolio and elevated its value for sponsors each and every year. And we want to thank the many National Sponsor employees who understand how fortunate they are to work for a company who “picks WICC”. Those employees who look for opportunities to attend and volunteer at our events and find ways to make a difference in the lives of those living with cancer.
Beyond the weight of their financial support, WICC National Sponsors forge the way demonstrating incredible leadership by raising cancer awareness, encouraging employee involvement in WICC volunteer opportunities, fostering a variety of fundraising initiatives for staff and clients, and being front and centre at joint WICC / Canadian Cancer Society events. It is thanks to the dedication and loyalty of these supportive companies that WICC has been able to donate more than $17.5 million to cancer research, support and education initiatives since 1996.
On behalf of WICC Chapters across the country, the Canadian Cancer Society and every person who has benefitted from your sponsorship and commitment, we extend a sincere thank you to our amazing National Sponsors who, over the past 15 years, have stepped up to leadership and have been part of the WICC National Sponsorship Program.
Thank you!
Marilyn Horrick
WICC Ontario Co-Chair