Fifth and final Bust a Move for Breast Health™

HALIFAX, March 22, 2014 /CNW/ - The fifth and final Bust a Move for Breast Health™ was an incredible celebration as the community came together and raised $293,115 (net) for the Breast Health Centre in Halifax.  In addition, the Canadian Breast Canadian Foundation - Atlantic Region, wowed the crowd by announcing a significant contribution of $250,000 towards better breast health. That wonderful announcement, combined with the QEII Foundation and the IWK Health Centre Foundation each raising an additional $250,000 through generous community support, brought the 2014 breast health campaign to an amazing $1,043,115 (net).

Hundreds of participants, sponsors and volunteers gathered at the Canada Games Centre to celebrate their success. Emcee Jeremy Webb kept participants motivated, while some of Nova Scotia's best fitness instructors kept participants moving and grooving through six energetic fitness sessions. Local talent Big Fish, among others, provided music and entertainment throughout the day.

Bust a Move is a joint initiative of the QEII Foundation and IWK Health Centre Foundation. Since the Foundations joined forces to fundraise for breast health, over $5.04 million (net) has been raised for the new Breast Health Centre.

Dean Leland, volunteer chairperson of the homegrown fundraiser and Vice President, Cineplex Media, Atlantic, was beaming with pride. "This was an incredible day," said Leland, "I am beyond proud of the success we had this year. It is an outstanding feeling to know the impact we have made for breast health in this province and the countless lives we have touched."

Funds raised from Bust a Move 2014 will support the addition of dedicated patient care clinic rooms at the Breast Health Centre. These rooms are flexible, meaning that any breast health services team can use the space to support their patients' care. Construction began in January 2013 on the Centre, on the sixth floor of the IWK Health Centre. Some of the highlights that Bust a Move participants, sponsors, donors and volunteers have made happen include reducing wait times, bringing

vital services and clinics together in one space, and purchasing technology advancements and equipment. General donations for Bust a Move will continue to be accepted until April 15. Donations can be completed online at bustamove.ca.

Bust a Move events across Canada, and in Brisbane, Australia, will continue to support their own breast health initiatives in the future.

About the QEII Foundation
Every day donors to the QEII Foundation change the lives of Atlantic Canadians who visit the QEII Health Sciences Centre for treatment. With their generosity, the Foundation is able to strengthen and advance health care to ensure loved ones receive the best care possible. Last year, the QEII Foundation raised over $15 million to fund research, professional education, equipment and technology, and community-based programs. These much needed funds support primary care, such as treatment of chronic conditions, specialized care like heart surgery and cancer treatment, and the most advanced care, such as organ transplantation. Gifts to the QEII Foundation have the power to make a difference for patients, now and in the future. Visit qe2foundation.ca to learn more.

About the IWK Health Centre Foundation
The IWK Health Centre Foundation is a champion of excellence in women's and children's health and medicine.   Our donors are passionately committed to making a difference for Maritime families, contributing over $17 million to the most urgent priorities at the IWK last year.  Funds raised also support the IWK's global leadership in research and knowledge sharing, which in turn improves lives worldwide.  Visit www.iwkfoundation.org for more information.

SOURCE: QEII FOUNDATION

Tanya MacLean, director of communications, QEII Foundation, 489 5664
Carla Adams, principal communications strategist, IWK Health Centre Foundation, 220 8030