A record $11 million raised in Ontario for cancer research and community services with the Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life

28  June  2005
TORONTO -

Communities across Ontario spent the night together this June and raised just over $11 million for the Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life.

“Congratulations to all who participated in and supported the Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life this year. You worked incredibly hard to achieve this success and your efforts have contributed significantly to the cancer cause,” says Peter Vaudry, President, Ontario Division, Canadian Cancer Society. “But Relay For Life is more than a successful fundraiser. It’s a moving and inspiring community experience and it’s fun too — a great way to spend the night together.”

The Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life is a 12-hour overnight event in which teams of participants walk, jog or run around a track. In Ontario a total of 4,734 teams participated in 59 events in June. One final event takes place Sept. 23 at Victoria Park in Owen Sound. Visit www.cancer.ca or call (519) 376-6011 for more information about that event.

Ottawa alone raised almost $1 million dollars through two events held in Nepean and Orleans. The first ever Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life in the country was held in Ottawa in 1999, raising about $100,000. Since then, the event has grown phenomenally with 235 communities participating across the country this year.

Last year, 54 Ontario communities raised over $9.6 million with the Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life.

More information about the Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life can be found at www.cancer.ca.

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and to enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.

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For more information, please contact:

Christine Koserski

Sr. Coordinator, Media Relations

Ontario Division

Phone:  (416) 488-5402 x2305