John Hancock's 2012 Boston Marathon Non-Profit Program Raises a Record $6.8 Million

BOSTON, Aug. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock's 2012 Boston Marathon Non-Profit Program raised a record $6.8 million as part of the 116^th running of the historic race in April of this year.  The record total for 2012 represents a 29 percent increase over 2011's fundraising results. 

As part of John Hancock's sponsorship of the Marathon, each year the company provides non-profits with guaranteed entry numbers ("bibs") that enable funds to be raised for their organizations.  More than 1,000 runners helped raise funds and awareness for 122 organizations this year. 

As part of that total, 114 employee runners from John Hancock and parent company Manulife Financial raised nearly $200,000 in 2012, a 14 percent increase over 2011.  Funds raised by employees benefited Artists for Humanity, the Boys & Girls Club of Boston, the Center for Teen Empowerment, Ron Burton Training Village and Habitat for Humanity Canada.  In addition, John Hancock led a focused effort among its business partners to raise nearly $150,000 for the Myra H. Kraft Giving Back Scholarship Fund at the Boys & Girls Club of Boston. 

"Our employees are a source of pride each year as they dedicate their running to benefit our community partners," said James R. Boyle, President of John Hancock. "We are especially proud our Boston Marathon principal sponsorship made it possible for so many individuals to raise money and awareness to support great causes throughout greater Boston."

Among the organizations benefitting from the 2012 program were MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston Children's Hospital, Tufts University, Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, the Hoyt Foundation, Horizons for Homeless Children, and Perkins School for the Blind.  

"Each year countless individuals in Boston and beyond are touched in many ways, large and small, by John Hancock's Boston Marathon Non-Profit program. At Mass General, this important funding has supported programs that enhance the quality of care for our youngest cancer patients and fuel innovative research focused on finding better cancer treatments and cures. We are grateful for John Hancock's generosity and the hope it offers to the children and families we serve," said Peter L. Slavin, MD, President, Massachusetts General Hospital.

This year, for the first time, John Hancock utilized a centralized online fundraising platform for its program through a partnership with CrowdRise™, an innovative online fundraising web site for individuals, charities and events.

2012 marks the 27th year of John Hancock's landmark sponsorship of the legendary Boston Marathon and also the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Company. John Hancock is committed to its long-standing partnership with the Boston Athletic Association to support one of the world's premier sporting events.  Over the past 27 years, the official B.A.A. Charity program and John Hancock's own Non-Profit Program have combined to raise more than $150 million for community based organizations.  

As a result of John Hancock's primary sponsorship, the Marathon has also brought years of economic benefits to the greater Boston region. In 2012, the Marathon brought an estimated $137.5 million in spending impact to the Greater Boston region, according to the Greater Boston Convention & Visitor Bureau.   

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial Corporation
John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. In 2012, John Hancock celebrates 150 years of serving clients across the United States, while Manulife celebrates its 125^th anniversary. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and in most of Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, Manulife Financial Corporation offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$514 billion (US$504 billion) as at June 30, 2012. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com, and on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and YouTube.

For more information about the Boston Marathon:

For more information about John Hancock Boston Marathon Non-Profit Fundraising:
www.crowdrise.com/2012BostonMarathon

SOURCE John Hancock Financial

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