Huntington Wins 2012 Expect Miracles “Company for a Cure” Award
Expect Miracles Foundation recognizes Huntington for its Pelotonia fundraising efforts
COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Huntington (NASDAQ: HBAN; www.huntington.com) has won the 2012 Expect Miracles Foundation’s Company for a Cure Award for its Pelotonia fundraising efforts. Pelotonia is a grass roots 180-mile bike ride that raises money for cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (http://cancer.osu.edu).
The award recognized Huntington for “an innovative initiative or event in 2011 that helped to further cancer awareness and raise funds for cancer-related programs.” Award winners were honored at the 19th Annual Mutual Fund Industry Awards hosted by Institutional Investor on April 5, 2012 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City.
“The Expect Miracles Awards empower individuals to nominate their hero and celebrate the Financial Community’s valiant efforts in making a difference in the lives of cancer patients everywhere, joining the movement to make cancer history,” said Expect Miracles Foundation’s executive director, Christina E. Thirkell.
Daniel Benhase, Huntington’s director of Wealth, Government Finance, and Home Lending, as well as the driving force behind Huntington’s annual Pelotonia bicycle event, accepted the award on behalf of the bank.
“Pelotonia has grown exponentially each year and is now one of the most well-known and well-attended bicycling events in the country. Since it began in 2009, Pelotonia has raised millions of dollars in donations for cancer research, drawn thousands of riders, and amassed an impressive amount of local, regional, and national media attention,” Benhase said. “Huntington has kicked-off its 2012 Pelotonia campaign and hopes to raise $2.5 million, continuing the bank’s commitment to support research dedicated to ending cancer. Huntington, its colleagues, friends and family, want nothing more than to see that goal achieved.”
Huntington was honored because of its now three-year sponsorship of Pelotonia, in which it has raised more than $3.5 million for cancer research. One hundred percent of the money raised for Pelotonia is directed to Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. In 2011, nearly 5,000 cyclists participated in the two-day event and rode routes ranging from 23 miles to 180 miles. Huntington had nearly 1,000 riders, and 600 virtual riders, who participated in the event.
“Huntington’s support has surpassed even our highest expectations. Not only has it provided Pelotonia with financial support, it has fully engaged its entire operation. From riders to volunteers to supporters, each is doing their part to end cancer,” said Tom Lennox, founder and chief executive director of Pelotonia. “Because of the commitment and passion of Huntington, and other partners alike, a cure will be found sooner.”
In 2011, Huntington raised more than $2 million for The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center—a 30 percent increase over 2010’s fundraising efforts. The bank has set a $2.5 million fundraising goal for 2012.
“The support of the Huntington Bank family has been critical to the millions of dollars raised through Pelotonia,” said Dr. Michael Caligiuri, director of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and CEO of the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. “Cancer is a complex disease that differs in each person. No two cancers are alike, and there is no one-size-fits-all way to prevent, detect, treat and cure. Our brightest hope for creating a world without cancer lies in research. With the support of Huntington employees, and thousands of other dedicated Pelotonia riders, volunteers and donors, we are raising funds needed to fuel the cancer discoveries of tomorrow right here at Ohio State.”
The annual awards, which were established in 2010 and are sponsored by American Century Investments, recognize individuals and firms within the financial community for outstanding support and commitment in the fight against cancer. The categories of recognition included: Corporate Commitment Award, Company for a Cure Award, Miracle Maker Leadership Award and Inspiration Contributor Award.
Expect Miracles Foundation, formerly Mutual Funds Against Cancer, is one of the leading advocates in the fight against cancer within the financial services industry. Proceeds benefit cancer patient care initiatives nation-wide and cutting-edge cancer research at the Belfer Institute for Applied Cancer Science at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
About Huntington
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $54 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The Huntington National Bank, founded in 1866, provides full-service commercial, small business, and consumer banking services; mortgage banking services; treasury management and foreign exchange services; equipment leasing; wealth and investment management services; trust services; brokerage services; customized insurance brokerage and service programs; and other financial products and services. The principal markets for these services are Huntington’s six-state banking franchise: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The primary distribution channels include a banking network of over 650 traditional branches and convenience branches located in grocery stores and retirement centers, and through an array of alternative distribution channels including internet and mobile banking, telephone banking, and over 1,300 ATMs. Through automotive dealership relationships within its six-state banking franchise area and selected other Midwest and New England states, Huntington also provides commercial banking services to the automotive dealers and retail automobile financing for dealer customers.
Member FDIC. The logo mark and Huntington® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
Cynthia Kincaid, 614-480-5451
cynthia.kincaid@huntington.com
Source: Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
Released April 11, 2012