Nokia and Coast to Coast Against Cancer raise $119,000 for Candlelighters at region's largest Inside Ride

• Amount raised moves Nokia closer to fundraising goal of $1 million over 5 years
• Ottawa Redblacks, Ottawa Fury, Ottawa Senators' Chris Phillips and MP Karen McCrimmon all on hand to help raise funds and awareness

OTTAWA, May 11, 2016 /CNW/ - Nokia Ottawa and Coast to Coast Against Cancer (CTCAC) have raised just over $119,000 for Candlelighters, a grassroots charity that provides support programs and services to young cancer patients and their families in the National Capital Region. Held under a large tent at Nokia's Kanata campus, the company and CTCAC attracted almost 70 cycling teams from both inside and outside the company, making the event the region's largest Inside Ride.

The results from this event also move Nokia closer to its fundraising target of $1 million over five years. Candlelighters is currently supporting over 300 families dealing with childhood cancer and expects to grow that number with an estimated 65 children in the Ottawa area being diagnosed this year. A fundraising target of this magnitude could be a game changer for the charity, which does not receive government funding and relies completely on donations.

"We are so pleased with the Nokia Inside Ride!" said Jocelyn Lamont, executive director for Candlelighters Ottawa. "As a not-for-profit organization, we are wholly reliant on the generosity of individuals and the community, which Nokia has brought together for this spectacular event. The Nokia Inside Ride ensures Candlelighters is able to provide 100% of children diagnosed with cancer in the National Capital Region with the support they need to cope with this devastating disease. Thank you Nokia!"

Also on hand showing their support were players, employees and mascots from the Ottawa Redblacks, Ottawa Fury and Ottawa Senators, including Senator's defenseman Chris Phillips, who is also honorary chairman for Candlelighters.

"The impact Candlelighters has on these kids is real. They offer tangible support and services with sensitivity and compassion," said Phillips. "(My wife) Erin and I have been honorary co-chairmen for the past 19 years and, when we see and hear from the kids who directly benefit from Candlelighters, it makes us proud to know we're doing our part to help make this organization even stronger."

Childhood cancer affects one in 330 children. More than 250 newly diagnosed children have directly benefitted from the tremendous support Candlelighters has received from Nokia Ottawa since 2012.

"Nokia and the employees of this campus are fiercely dedicated towards reaching the company's ambitious five-year fundraising goal," said Andy Thompson, VP ION Procurement, Nokia. "Our efforts are making a difference to Candlelighters and the services they offer to families whose lives have been turned upside down by cancer. We are pleased to be part of the growth and look forward to the future of this remarkable grass roots organization."

Families of children with cancer face overwhelming challenges which affect their lives forever. To help them cope, Candlelighters provides family, financial and educational support through programs such as The CyberKids Program, Financial Support and a Bereavement Support Group. Each program addresses the unique needs of young cancer patients and provides families with real, tangible services which have a positive impact in their lives.

Helpful Links:

Nokia Inside Ride Facebook page (for photos from the event) and Twitter handle: @Nokiainsideride

Candlelighters website, Facebook page and Twitter handle: @Candlelighters1

Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation website and Facebook page

About Nokia

Nokia is a global leader in the technologies that connect people and things. Powered by the innovation of Bell Labs and Nokia Technologies, the company is at the forefront of creating and licensing the technologies that are increasingly at the heart of our connected lives. 

With state-of-the-art software, hardware and services for any type of network, Nokia is uniquely positioned to help communication service providers, governments, and large enterprises deliver on the promise of 5G, the Cloud and the Internet of Things. http://nokia.com

SOURCE Nokia

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