DHL Express gives the Irish Cancer Society a lift

DHL Express employees choose Irish Cancer Society as charity of choice for 2012/2013

DHL Express, the world’s leading international express services provider, today confirmed that it has partnered with the Irish Cancer Society as its new headline charity in Ireland for 2012 / 2013.  The aim of the partnership is to make a positive and tangible contribution to the Irish Cancer Society as it continues to create an Ireland where fewer people develop cancer and those that do have better prospects.  The decision to partner with the Irish Cancer Society came as a result of a lengthy democratic process with DHL Express staff, service partners and subcontractors, who overwhelmingly choose the Irish Cancer Society as their charity of choice for the next 16 months.    DHL Express will support the Irish Cancer Society through a number of initiatives including various fundraising activities, creating innovative logistic solutions and developing volunteer programmes so that employees, service partners and subcontractors can donate their time and expertise to the Irish Cancer Society and to the many programmes they run.  The Irish Cancer Society will also participate in critical First Aid and Health and Safety courses run by qualified DHL Express trainers.   “DHL invests heavily in corporate responsibility and we believe strongly in supporting local and international charities.  For DHL Express in Ireland, we already have a prominent culture of social responsibility and a long tradition of volunteering, says Mike Farrell, Operations Director, DHL Express Ireland and member of the DHL Express charity committee. In the past we have worked with many Irish charities including Irish Autism Action, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, Temple Street Hospital and the Jack and Jill foundation.   Farrell added, unfortunately there are over 200 different types of cancer, one in three people in Ireland will develop cancer during their lifetime and it is estimated that approximately 29,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Ireland this year and 42,000 new cases by 2020.  The Irish Cancer Society and the work they do clearly resonates very strongly with our employees and by lending our support, we now have an opportunity not only to raise cancer awareness among our employees and customers but also to help improve and make a real difference to the lives of those affected by cancer.”  Emma Barrett, Corporate Partnerships Manager for the Irish Cancer Society said: “We are absolutely delighted that the staff, service partners and subcontractors of DHL Express choose the Irish Cancer Society.  Their passion, enthusiasm and genuine commitment is overwhelming, it is evident they want to make a real difference to those with and affected by cancer in Ireland.  With their drive, passion and dedication we will be in a better position to deliver our message around early detection and reducing your risk of cancer.  The work we do over the next 16 months will have an impact on people living with cancer now and also those who may be diagnosed in the future.” Corporate Social Responsibility has always been at the heart of DHL’s operation and making a real contribution to our society is a critical aspect.  Most recently, staff from the DHL Express Cork office turned out in force to support three projects for the Blackpool Community Centre in Cork, while staff from the Shannon office volunteered by giving a make-over to the inside and outside of a Senior Citizen Home. Furthermore, the DHL Express Irish Management Team recently conquered the Focus Ireland Four Peaks Challenge and raised €7,500 for Focus Ireland.