Northwestern Mutual's Rose Parade float to focus on curing childhood cancer

Highlighting its commitment in the fight against childhood cancer, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. will sponsor a float in the Rose Parade focused on the belief that every child deserves a life of laughter, adventure and fun despite a diagnosis of cancer, the company said Wednesday.

The Milwaukee-based insurer, which is presenting sponsor of the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl game, said the float will feature childhood cancer survivors, including a 13-year-old boy from Milwaukee.

"Northwestern Mutual is honored to have the opportunity to highlight these individuals through the 2018 Rose Parade and to continue shining a light on childhood cancer, reminding us all that every kid deserves a chance to enjoy childhood," Eric Christophersen, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, said in a statement. "Pediatric cancer patients, including those represented among our 'Letting Kids Be Kids' float riders, have an incredible joy for life, and adult champions play an enormous role in making that happiness possible."

Among those riding on the float New Year's Day in Pasadena, Calif., will be Bennett Unger, a leukemia survivor from Milwaukee who was treated at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Bennett loves the outdoors and attends Camp One Step programs, many of which are held in Wisconsin, Northwestern Mutual said.

The Northwestern Mutual float depicts a summer camp experience, creating a fictional camp called "Camp for a Cure." The float features events for children, such as a canoe race and singing around a campfire, that are part of a camp setting.

The theme of the 129th Rose Parade, "Making A Difference," honors and celebrates people in communities who, quietly and without desire for reward or recognition, act in selfless, generous and kind ways to help others.

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Northwestern Mutual launched its Childhood Cancer Program in 2012 and is celebrating five years of working to find cures, providing family and patient support and aiding those who struggle with the late-term effects of treatment, the company said.

The program has contributed more than $17 million with the help of its employees and financial representatives nationwide, and has funded more than 200,000 hours of research, Northwestern Mutual said.