Last year, Chemo Duck began discussing a potential partnership with Northwestern Mutual, a Fortune 100 company committed to building brighter futures by helping its clients achieve lifelong financial security through insurance and investment.
Based in Milwaukee, Northwestern Mutual has nearly 280 offices located across the country. Northwestern Mutual financial professionals are committed to giving back to the communities in which they serve.
Northwestern Mutual’s national philanthropic cause is childhood cancer which focuses on funding childhood cancer research, supporting families while their children are battling the disease and supporting survivors who are dealing with late effects of cancer treatment.
With Northwestern Mutual’s existing partnerships with organizations such as Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Beads of Courage, Chemo Duck fit in perfectly with the company’s strong list of childhood cancer nonprofits.
Chemo Duck and Northwestern Mutual worked together to make donations in hospitals in four cities – Boston, Minneapolis, Orlando and San Francisco. Northwestern Mutual – Minneapolis and Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota held a “Share More Love” event on February 13, where representatives from Northwestern Mutual helped hand out Chemo Duck kits as an early Valentine’s Day celebration.
The kits include a drawstring bag, a Chemo Duck, a Northwestern Mutual T-shirt for the Chemo Duck, a “Meet Chemo Duck” booklet in English and Spanish, an “I’m Still Me” activity book, resources for parents and, to top it all off, a personalized note to patients who will receive the kit.
“My favorite part is the thank you notes that we’ve added to the kits,” said Jodi Nolte, strategic philanthropy consultant for Northwestern Mutual. “It allows each of our representatives to make a more personal connection to the patients these kits are going to. These kits are not only comforting to the patients, they also serve as a teaching tool.”
Although this partnership is just getting started, there has already been an incredible response from Northwestern Mutual’s network offices, who realize the impact that Chemo Duck can have on the lives of children undergoing cancer treatment.
“When people reach out to me looking for philanthropic opportunities, I always talk to them about Chemo Duck,” said Jodi. “It’s great that we are able to offer options to our offices that are meaningful to them, impactful for the families and truly make a difference both from a nationwide perspective as well as a local perspective.”
The four Northwestern Mutual offices put together enough Chemo Duck kits to satisfy their local hospital’s needs for an entire year. Once the kits are complete, the team hand-delivers them the hospitals.
“Our hope is that we can help Chemo Duck expand their reach, get into more hospitals and raise awareness about the program,” said Jodi.
So far, so good! Keep up the great work!