December 20, 2016

Fewer Preschoolers will Suffer Vision Impairment Thanks to Donations from McFarlan Rowlands and Gore Mutual

McFarlan Rowlands and Gore Mutual help grow Regional Screening Service with Donation to St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation

There will be fewer preschoolers with vision impairment in the future, thanks to a $20,000 donation by McFarlan Rowlands Insurance Brokers and Gore Mutual Insurance Foundation to St Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation in London.

McFarlan Rowlands Insurance Brokers and Gore Mutual Insurance Company announce today that they will each be donating $10,000 to The Ivey Spencer Eye Examination (iSee) program offered through St. Joseph’s Healthcare. iSee is committed to preventing irreversible vision impairment through early detection in young children. The donation will make it possible for the program to operate as a completely free service for the next two years and will aid in expanding iSee to more communities across Southwestern Ontario.

“We believe in supporting the communities we live and work in and are very proud to fund the iSee service provided by St. Joseph’s Healthcare,” says Rodney Hancock, CEO of McFarlan Rowlands Insurance Brokers, “this donation enables the service to grow throughout Southwestern Ontario, reaching more children and preserving their gift of sight and, therefore, making our communities healthier.”

The iSee service currently screens young children aged 18 months to four years in London foramblyopia (or lazy eye). Over the next two years, the iSee team expects to screen more than 2500 children at risk for amblyopia by expanding the program throughout Southwestern Ontario. iSee screening uses portable technology that can take place at locations in the community like community centres, daycares and shopping malls.

Amblyopia is a common eye disorder and the leading cause of vision impairment in young children. Research findings from the iSee program will examine photoscreening as a useful tool for detecting vision problems and this data will help identify next steps for expanding the service to other underserved populations across Canada.

Presenting Cheque
Pictured above (L-R) Colleen Jones (SJHCF), Tracy Bucholtz (MCFR), Rodney Hancock (MCFR),
Anna McCrindell (Gore), Mark Young (Gore)

 

About McFarlan Rowlands Insurance Brokers:

McFarlan Rowlands Insurance Brokers offers a complete line of commercial, personal lines, life, disability, employee benefit plans and risk management services through our network of fourteen offices across Southwestern Ontario. McFarlan Rowlands is dedicated to ensuring our professionals are on the leading edge of changes in the insurance industry. Our employees are committed providing outstanding products and unsurpassed service that, together, deliver premium value to our clients. For more information about McFarlan Rowlands visit our website at www.mcfr.ca

 

About Gore Mutual Insurance Company:

Founded in 1839, Gore Mutual is Canada’s oldest property and casualty insurer, with approximately $400M in premiums and $1BN in assets as at December 31, 2015. Based in Cambridge, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia, this Canadian mutual company employs over 300 people and is known for its investment in people, technology and innovation. With a long standing commitment to stability, trust and innovation, Gore Mutual is an unwavering supporter of its network of insurance brokers, who offer the highest standards of service, choice and advocacy to Canadian customers. Gore Mutual was voted the #1 insurance company by the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) in 2014 and certified as a “Great Place to Work” in 2016. The Gore Mutual Foundation strengthens Canadian communities by supporting local initiatives and has donated more than $5M to over 550 charities. Learn more about Gore Mutual at goremutual.ca.

Media Contacts:

McFarlan Rowlands Insurance Brokers
Tracy Bucholtz
Communications Coordinator
519-679-5440 / 1 888-734-8888 ext. 1460
tbucholtz@mcfr.ca

 

Gore Mutual Insurance Foundation
Dean McNeill
Corporate Communications Manager
519-623-1600 / 1-800-265-8600 ext. 2299
dmcneill@goremutual.ca