Media Advisory/Photo-op - Former Ottawa Senator, Rob Zamuner launches NHLPA Beard-a-thon in Ottawa to raise funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation

IT'S PLAYOFF TIME: GROW HAIR BECAUSE YOU CARE!

OTTAWA, April 13, 2012 /CNW/ -

WHAT:		Launch of the 2012 NHLPA (National Hockey League Players' Association) Beard-a-thon in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation
WHEN:		Tuesday, April 17, 2012
		9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
WHERE:		Bell Sensplex (1565 Maple Grove Road, Kanata, ON. K2V 1A3)
		(in 'The Mattamy Homes arena')
WHO:		Interview and photo-ops with: Former NHL player, Ontario native and current NHLPA Divisional Representative Rob Zamuner, heart attack survivor Michael Bibby, cardiac arrest survivor and Hockey for Heart Team Captain André Corriveau, Laurél Craib of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, local barber shop quartet Sound Evolution and Ottawa Senators' mascot Spartacat.

Last year, nearly $200,000 was raised for the cause. NHLPA members are challenging Canadians to surpass this figure during the 2012 playoffs, as they grow their facial hair to show they care.

Heart disease and stroke take one in three Canadians before their time and is the leading cause of death in women. "By signing up for the NHLPA Beard-a-thon, you can raise important funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation while growing a playoff beard," says Rob Zamuner, former NHL player who currently serves as an NHLPA Divisional Representative.

B-roll of National Hockey League Players' Association players talking about the Beard-a-thon is available 

The Heart and Stroke Foundation (heartandstroke.ca), a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living, and advocacy.

The National Hockey League Players' Association (nhlpa.com), established in 1967, is a labour organization whose members are the players in the NHL. The NHLPA works on behalf of the players in varied disciplines such as labour relations, product licensing, marketing, international hockey and community relations. Since 1999, NHLPA Goals & Dreams has donated more than $20-million to grassroots hockey, with more than 60,000 deserving children in 25 countries having benefited from the players' donations of hockey equipment.

To find out more about raising funds for the Heart and stroke Foundation during the 2012 Stanley Cup play-off games, visit www.beardathon.ca.

For further information:

Media inquiries:

Tonya Johnson
Heart and Stroke Foundation
416-906-5892
[e-mail]

Jane-Diane Fraser
Heart and Stroke Foundation
613-569-4361 ext 273
[e-mail]

Andrew Wolfe
NHLPA
416-313-2376
[e-mail]