Suncorp New Zealand has launched the Spirit to Cure initiative, which seeks to raise money for cancer research, support and prevention. Nearly 400 of the insurer’s employees, partners and supporters will participate in this six-week event.
According to Suncorp, Spirit to Cure is an employee-led initiative which seeks to raise money for the Cancer Research Trust and Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand. The latter has already exceeded its $200,000 fundraising target with support gathered across the insurance and wider business sectors.
On Sept. 2, Spirit to Cure participants will walk more than 5,000 steps around the stadium loop at Auckland at Eden Park Stadium. On Sept. 30, participants in Christchurch will complete a 5.2 km uphill walk through the Otautahi Christchurch Adventure Park, and, on Oct. 13, fundraisers in Wellington will complete two laps of the 5,200-step stairs of Sky Stadium.
“Our Suncorp New Zealand purpose focuses on building futures and protecting what matters and Spirit to Cure is our way of extending this purpose into our communities,” said Jane Brewer (pictured above), Suncorp New Zealand’s executive general manager for consumer. “The passion and commitment of our people and supporters in fundraising for our cancer research Spirit to Cure partners has been inspiring and we’re not done fundraising yet.”
Brewer is one of the main proponents of the initiative, and she will participate in all three fundraising events.
“We’re honoured to be raising money for the invaluable work the Cancer Research Trust and Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand are doing for New Zealanders impacted by cancer and we’re proud to be helping these charities make a positive difference to so many lives,” Brewer said.
Emma Barker, Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand head of support services and operations, said that due to the severity of blood cancer conditions and the complex and high-risk nature of treatments, it is essential to provide continuous funding for ongoing research into prevention, treatment and cure.
“The support Suncorp New Zealand is providing us through Spirit to Cure will help us continue our work in funding high-quality blood cancer research, help those with cancer to make sense of their diagnosis and navigate their treatment pathways and provide financial support to assist with relieving the some of the burden cancer brings to individuals, whanau and communities,” Barker said.
