Zurich has honoured 45 Australians affected by breast cancer, featuring their names in place of its sponsorship logo on T-shirts worn by Melbourne Football Club players.  

Each member of the Demons playing squad wore a name on the front of their warm-up top before yesterday’s game against Western Bulldogs at the MCG.  

Names were taken from public nominations, while some players displayed those of people they knew.

Under the program, in collaboration with Breast Cancer Network Australia, the insurer also gave a $20,000 donation to help support services for people affected by the illness.  

“Zurich is incredibly proud to support this important cause for the second year in a row, after successfully raising funds and community awareness for BCNA in 2024,” Zurich brand, marketing and corporate affairs head Linda Griffin said.  

“Breast cancer impacts the lives of Zurich’s customers and employees in communities all around Australia.

“As we see incidence continue to rise, it is important that we continue to shine a light on this issue and recognise those who are impacted.”

Zurich says cancer accounted for more than 20% of claims to its life insurance business last year, resulting in $500 million of payments. About one in five of those claims involved breast cancer.