Health giving
As medical researchers look to cure disease, they can make significant breakthroughs along the way that improve quality of life. In 2004, RBC committed $200,000 over five years to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Breathe program, where researchers aim to break the progression of lung infection and disease.

Fifty per cent of all Canadians– about 15 million people – have had a neuroscience-related disorder, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, affect their family. In 2004, RBC pledged $500,000 to NeuroScience Canada’s Brain Repair Program, where the mission is to fast-track transformative research to discovery and development of new treatments and therapies for neurological and psychiatric diseases and disorders.

RBC was one of the first major corporate donors to Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) in 1991, with a donation of $75,000. CANFAR is an organization that generates funds for research in HIV infection and AIDS, and in 2004 we continued our support with a donation of $150,000 over three years.

Insuring good health
As individuals plan for what’s ahead in life, it’s easy for them to imagine an afternoon lazing by the lake. But the possibility of contracting a serious illness is an unpleasant thought that can’t be ignored.

RBC Insurance is a market leader in providing what’s most important when planning the future, no matter what happens – peace of mind.

In 2004, RBC Insurance became the leading provider of individual living benefits in Canada. Living benefits insurance includes critical illness, disability and long-term care insurance options and is designed to pay out a benefit while the policyholder is still alive.

In the United States, RBC Liberty Life Insurance offers Cancer Expense Insurance, which can ease the financial burden of cancer by supplementing primary health plans with cash benefits paid directly to the policyholder. It covers medical and other expenses, there are no lifetime limits on most of the benefits of the basic policy and benefits are not reduced over time.

People power
While RBC is a strong corporate supporter of health and wellness, our employees also take an active role in supporting health care-related initiatives around the world.

In North Carolina, RBC Centura employees volunteered to work the phones and take pledges for the 11th annual Radiothon for Duke Children’s Hospital and Health Center.

In other instances, our employees test their own fitness to raise money for a good cause. September 2004 marked the 24th annual Terry Fox Run, with hundreds of RBC employees, from London, Ontario, to London, England, taking part in what is considered the largest single-day fund-raiser for cancer research in the world. RBC Royal Bank branches once again accepted pledge sheets from runners.

Also in 2004, 468 RBC employees split into 47 teams in over 140 communities across Canada, and together they raised $141,056 for multiple sclerosis in the annual Super Cities WALK for MS and RONA MS Bike Tour.

For more information on RBC’s support for health, visit rbc.com/community