SwampFox

RBC Insurance Scholarships To Support Student Research In Cancer

SCHOLARSHIPS TO SUPPORT STUDENT RESEARCH IN CANCER DISPARITIES AT HOLLINGS CANCER CENTER

Voorhees College to Benefit from RBC Insurance Grant Program

DENMARK, S.C. - RBC Insurance will fund research in cancer disparities by students of Voorhees College through a five-year scholarship program at the Hollings Cancer Center of the Medical University of South Carolina. The scholarships will be part of MUSC Summer Undergraduate Research Program.

The RBC Research Scholars Program, announced during dedication ceremonies for the Voorhees College Center for Excellence in Rural and Minority Health, will support efforts by the Hollings Center to address cancer-related health disparities among racially and ethnically diverse, medically underserved populations in South Carolina.

"Disparities in the incidence and treatment of cancer have a significant impact on economic growth and quality of life in South Carolina's rural and minority communities," said David Black, head of the Greenville, S.C.-based U.S. insurance operations of RBC Insurance. "In addition to supporting current projects in this important area, grants made through the RBC Research Scholars program will provide opportunities for Voorhees students to become part of the next generation of cancer disparities researchers."

Beginning in 2007, two scholarships per year will be awarded to Voorhees students in conjunction with the Center for Excellence in Rural and Minority Health, which provides community-based health education programs, clinical services and health research. The scholarships will include room and board, laboratory fees and a stipend.

"Research into the factors affecting the incidence of cancer in rural and minority communities is a key component of our Cancer Disparities Action Plan and is an important part of our effort to secure designation as a National Cancer Institute," said Dr. Marvella Ford, associate director for cancer disparities at the Hollings Cancer Center. "We thank RBC Insurance and Voorhees College for their support in addressing this vital need."

"The Center for Excellence in Rural and Minority Health offers a unique avenue for direct engagement with the root causes of health disparities within our communities," said Dr. Lee E. Monroe, Jr., president of Voorhees College. "The RBC Research Scholars program will provide an opportunity for our students to build on these experiences at one of the nation's premier institutions for cancer research and clinical care."

In establishing the scholarship fund, RBC Insurance adds to its substantial support of the Hollings Cancer Center. A previous commitment of $100,000 will be used by the center to fund a senior research position focusing on health disparities. The new position is considered an important part of its application for designation as a National Cancer Institute, a credential held by only 61 cancer centers in the United States.

About RBC Insurance
RBC Insurance is a brand name used by Liberty Life Insurance Company, the principal U.S. subsidiary of RBC Insurance. Founded in 1905 and headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Liberty Life is among the Southeast's oldest and largest insurance companies.

RBC Insurance is the insurance operation of Royal Bank of Canada (TSE, NYSE: RY). For more information, please visit www.rbcinsurance.com/us.

About the Hollings Cancer Center
At the Hollings Cancer Center at Medical University of South Carolina, our patients are more than the sum of their symptoms. We call it care of the whole person. We believe that true healing occurs when both the physical and emotional well-being of each and every patient is restored. We provide a continuum of care that extends to every stage of cancer care, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and counselling. Hollings Cancer Center is a leader in cancer medicine. Our specialized cancer treatment programs, our vast array basic and clinical research activities, our multi-disciplinary approach and patient-focused philosophy are... our contributions to how cancer will be prevented, diagnosed, treated and cured both now and in the future. For more information, please visit hcc.musc.edu.

About Voorhees College
Voorhees College is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the Episcopal Church. From its founding in 1897, Voorhees has evolved into a leading four- year liberal arts college fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Voorhees is fully committed to its mission to meet the highest standards for educating the minds, hearts, and spirits of young men and women. Additional information about Voorhees College can be found on the Web at www.voorhees.edu.

###

For more information, please contact:
Bill Free at (864)609-4302 or bill.free@rbc.com