Harry's Spring Run-Off 8K helps prostate experts at VGH do more for patients

• Important Annual Event Combines Doing Good and Looking Good
• Almost $1 million raised for Vancouver Prostate Centre since 2007

VANCOUVER, March 25, 2012 /CNW/ - On a crisp Sunday morning in Stanley Park, more than 1,200 participants showed their support for the internationally recognized Vancouver Prostate Centre at VGH in the sixth annual Harry's Spring Run-Off 8K to Fight Prostate Cancer.

"Harry's Spring Run-Off is a source of great pride for us all," said Larry Rosen, CEO and Chairman of Harry Rosen Inc., who led a team of 40 associates in today's event. "With the $180,000 from today's Run, we have nearly reached one million dollars for VGH over the past seven years.  We are honoured to be able to support the incredible work they do and we want to take a moment to thank everyone who participated again this year, whether through running, volunteering or donating money. We should all be proud to be part of this wonderful and successful event."

"The medical experts at the Vancouver Prostate Centre are driven to improve outcomes for men with the disease. This kind of community support is a great motivator," said Dr. Martin Gleave, Director of the Vancouver Prostate Centre and Liber Ero BC Leadership Chair in Prostate Cancer Research. "We're grateful to the donors, sponsors and participants who contribute to Harry's Spring Run-off. They are helping us to pursue better treatments and greater understanding for our patients."

Participants in the event, sponsored by Harry Rosen Inc., ranged from serious runners, to those attired in outlandish outfits.

Kip Kangogo took first place in the 8K competitive run, one of the earliest events of the Vancouver running season, with a time of 23:59. Lisa Harvey was the first female finisher with a time of 28:40.

The Best Dressed Runner award went to Ron's Runners for completing the Run in tuxedo tshirts with sequined jackets. The top individual and team fundraisers will be posted on  www.canadarunningseries.com/spring8k in the coming weeks, once final tallies are done.

Thanks also to our key sponsor The Running Room; and media sponsor The Vancouver Sun.

More information about today's run, including full results, can be found at www.canadarunningseries.com/spring8k.

About VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is a registered charity that raises funds for the latest, most sophisticated medical equipment, world-class research and improvements to patient care for the Vancouver Prostate Centre, along with other areas of specialized care at Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital, GF Strong Rehab Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and Community Health Services across Vancouver. For more information, please visit www.worldclasshealthcare.ca

About the Vancouver Prostate Centre at VGH
The Vancouver Prostate Centre at VGH is a UBC Centre and National Centre of Excellence uniting a trans-disciplinary team of basic and clinical scientists to study molecular mechanisms of prostate cancer progression and therapeutic resistance, identify gene targets for intervention, and use this information to create new therapies to improve care for men with prostate cancer. The Centre is one of the top prostate treatment and research facilities in the world.

About Harry Rosen
Harry Rosen Inc., Canada's leading quality men's wear retailer, is celebrating its 58^th year in business in 2012.  Founded in 1954 by the man whose name the chain still bears, Harry Rosen Inc. has grown from a single 500-square-foot store in Toronto to become a powerhouse in Canadian retailing with 15 stores across the country, accounting for 40 percent of the Canadian market in high-end men's wear. Harry Rosen stores offer extensive collections of the world's finest men's wear labels including Tom Ford, Brunello Cucinelli, Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, Armani Collezioni, Brioni, Canali, Ermenegildo Zegna, Versace, Hugo Boss, Prada, Cole Haan, Salvatore Ferragamo, Loro Piana and J.P. Tilford by Samuelsohn.

Image with caption: "Over 1200 runners participated in Harry's Spring Run-Off to fight prostate cancer in Vancouver's Stanley Park on March 25. (CNW Group/Harry Rosen Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120325_C7665_PHOTO_EN_11539.jpg

For further information:

Courtney Beckett
PR & Special Events
Harry Rosen Inc.
403-992-3072 (mobile) 
[e-mail]

Katherine Kosowan
Director, Marketing & Communications
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
604-603-5847  (mobile)
[e-mail]