• Bridgestone New Zealand makes $35,310 donation to Leukaemia & Blood Cancer NZ from customer support.
• New Zealand motorists have contributed nearly $200,000 to support New Zealanders living with blood cancer through Bridgestone initiatives in recent years.
• Bridgestone's ongoing support of Leukaemia & Blood Cancer NZ is a demonstration of the values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (24 April 2023) – New Zealand's most trusted tyre brand, Bridgestone, has continued its tradition of supporting people living with blood cancer by way of a $35,310 donation to Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBC), raised through its annual 'Drive for a Cure' campaign.

For each Bridgestone branded passenger, 4x4 and SUV tyre sold in a month, Bridgestone committed $3 towards the vital work of the blood cancer support organisation to empower and provide ease to New Zealanders undergoing treatment.

LBC provides patients and families with personalised support, information, and education, as well as funding research, raising awareness, and providing advocacy.

A key objective for LBC is to deliver valued patient and family support services nationally and the LBC team can do this with Bridgestone's ongoing 'Drive for a Cure' campaign. The money raised through the 'Drive for a Cure' campaign will make a direct impact to the lives of people and families living with leukaemia and blood cancers in New Zealand, such as through the provision of fuel vouchers to support transport to treatment.

"It's the little things that often make a real difference" says LBC's Business Manager, Annabel Lush.

"For example, just this week, we heard from a patient who had become concerned as the trips for treatment were becoming more frequent and the price of petrol continues to rise. We have been supplying petrol vouchers and if it wasn't for these, the patient would be unable to attend the important appointments."

More than 21,000 New Zealanders are currently living with blood cancer, with a further eight diagnosed each day - making it the fifth most common form of cancer in the country.

Bridgestone New Zealand has been a proud supporter of LBC for more than five years, and through its network of Bridgestone Select and Bridgestone Tyre Centres throughout the country has raised nearly $200,000 for the organisation through initiatives such as 'Drive for a Cure', 'Brighten your Wheels', 'Put a Cap on It', and other fundraising efforts. 

"We're proud to contribute to the work of Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand because it is a demonstration of Bridgestone's vision of a more sustainable society. Through collaborations like this, we are supporting our community and making a difference to the lives of people living with blood cancer through the values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment," said Bridgestone's Director of New Zealand Business, John Staples.

"Initiatives like our 'Drive for a Cure' campaign are important because it allows our customers to also make a difference through simply choosing Bridgestone. It's a way that motorists can take confidence in knowing they are not just fitting tyres they can trust for their own family, but also support the families of people living with blood cancer."

The continued support of LBC is just one of Bridgestone NZ's community-led partnerships in line with the values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment. Through this commitment, Bridgestone aims to create value through purpose and process to support the realisation a more sustainable society.

Through the support of LBC, Bridgestone is showcasing the values of empowerment, contributing to a society that ensures accessibility and dignity for all, as well as ease, bringing comfort and peace of mind.

"This is a key example of how Bridgestone is working with our partners and customers to support a better future, by co-creating value and exemplifying our vision of a better future," Mr Staples added.

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About the Bridgestone E8 commitment:

The Bridgestone E8 Commitment was launched last year, committed to creating value through "purpose" and "process," together with employees, society, its partners, and customers to realise a sustainable society. This will serve as the axis to drive management while earning the trust of future generations.

Made up of eight values: Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease and Empowerment, the Bridgestone E8 Commitment is designed to create purpose and process for the company, partners and customers towards the development of a more sustainable society.