Royal Bank of Canada Becomes Title Sponsor of Comer Children's Hospital 5K

September 20, 2013

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has signed on as the title sponsor for the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital's premier fundraising event, lending its name and support to the hospital's 5K run through 2016.

Formerly known as the Comer Kids' Classic and now called the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital RBC Race for the Kids, the event has seen a steady increase in popularity among area runners, employers and families, from about 100 participants in 2002 to more than 1,300 last year. Since its launch, the race has raised more than $866,000 for research to advance pediatric care across Chicago and around the world.

The new relationship with a top-tier financial services company is seen as a boost for research programs benefitting children.

"We're thrilled to embark on this partnership with RBC to increase funding to our life-saving pediatric research programs," said David Gozal, MD, professor and chairman of pediatrics at the University of Chicago Medicine and physician-in-chief at Comer Children's Hospital. "RBC's generosity is a great example of business, medicine and science joining forces to help ensure continued support for the innovative medical research that offer hope for new treatments and cures for children with complex diseases."

Already a major sponsor for children's charity races in New York, Toronto, London and Hong Kong, RBC has built an international reputation as a supporter of organizations dedicated to helping children's emotional, physical and intellectual well-being. The RBC Race for the Kids in Chicago is one of RBC's global initiatives focusing on the needs of children, and was established as part of RBC's commitment to creating a culture of integrity and social responsibility. Last year, RBC contributed more than $95 million to causes worldwide.

"RBC is proud to partner with Comer Children's Hospital in support of the renowned physicians and scientists who are dedicated to discovering new ways to diagnose and treat childhood diseases," said Mark Standish, Co-CEO of RBC Capital Markets and Co-Group Head, RBC Investor & Treasury Services. "RBC is committed to giving back to the communities in which we live and work in around the world, particularly with organizations that support our youth."

"Community involvement is an important part of the culture at RBC, and we strive to strengthen our relationships with our local communities through our partnerships with organizations like Comer Children's Hospital," said John Taft, CEO of RBC Wealth Management – U.S."

RBC has more than 8,000 employees in the U.S. across its Capital Markets and Wealth Management businesses. RBC has contributed approximately $4.9 million in donations across the United States over the last year.

RBC Race for the Kids will take place Sunday, Oct. 6, in the Hyde Park community on Chicago's South Side. For more race details and registration information, go to http://www.uchicagokidshospital.org/programs/race.

About RBC's Commitment to Community and Sustainability
Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its subsidiaries operate under the master brand name RBC. We employ approximately 80,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 49 other countries. RBC is recognized among the world's financial, social and environmental leaders and is listed on the 2012 - 2013 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, the DJSI North American Index, the Jantzi Social Index and the FTSE4Good Index. RBC is one of Canada's Greenest Employers, one of Canada's 50 Most Socially Responsible Corporations and among the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World. Learn more at www.rbc.com/community-sustainability.


RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2012, we contributed more than $95 million to causes worldwide, including donations and community investments of more than $64 million and $31 million in sponsorships.