Nokia, Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation set five-year fundraising goal of one million dollars to support children with cancer

• New fundraising goal will ensure Candlelighters Ottawa can support 100% of children and teenagers affected by cancer in the region

OTTAWA, Feb. 9, 2016 /CNW/ - Nokia today announced that its Ottawa-based campus and the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation have set a new five-year fundraising goal of CAD 1 million for Candlelighters - a grassroots charity that supports young cancer patients and their families in the Ottawa area. The company and foundation plan to reach this goal through a series of fundraisers including the annual Inside Ride cycling challenge.

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.

"Childhood cancer is a devastating disease which affects one in 330 children. In the Ottawa area approximately 65 kids will be diagnosed this year. Over 250 newly diagnosed children have directly benefitted from the tremendous support Candlelighters has received from Nokia Ottawa since 2012. This new partnership will profoundly impact our charity and will ensure we can support 100% of children and teenagers affected with childhood cancer in the national capital region," said Jocelyn Lamont, executive director for Candlelighters Ottawa.

Nokia Ottawa is also announcing this year's participants for its next Inside Ride cycling challenge which, in combination with other corporate fundraising efforts, has raised more than $368,000 over the last eight years for childhood cancer charities. Among this year's confirmed participants are several companies, government and professional sports organizations including the Ottawa Senators, Ottawa Redblacks and the Ottawa Police. This year, Nokia Ottawa and Coast to Coast are hoping to attract 100 teams for the event, which will take place in the company's parking lot under a large tent on May 11, 2016.

"Nokia's intention is to significantly grow this event by inviting Ottawa area businesses and organizations who share the company's passion for making a difference in the community. The event is fun, fast-paced and inspiring, especially when Candlelighters' beneficiaries from previous years speak about their experiences," said Tom Brewer Inside Ride Event Co-coordinator, Nokia.

The overall campaign will kick off on April 15, 2016, and will involve a series of fundraising events including the cycling challenge, antique car show and ball hockey tournament. Historically, volunteers from the company have driven all initiatives, while strong employee participation has helped make each event a huge success. Every dollar raised from their fundraising efforts has gone towards Candlelighters.

"Nokia is proud to continue Alcatel-Lucent's rich heritage of being a solid corporate citizen in the Ottawa region with several ambitious programs included in this new five-year fundraising goal.  Each of our fundraising campaigns is an extraordinary campus-wide experience showing the true spirit of giving back to our community. Everyone who participates gives something, and that something makes a difference in the life of a child battling cancer in the Ottawa area," said Andy Thompson, VP ION Procurement, Nokia.

Key Facts

• Nokia Ottawa in partnership with Coast to Coast Against Foundation hope to raise CAD 1 million over the next five years for Candlelighters
• Reaching this goal will allow Candlelighters to profoundly impact children and their families battling cancer
• Some of the programs offered by Candlelighters include The CyberKids Program, Hospital Support, Parking Program, Financial Support and a Bereavement Support Group.
• The largest fundraiser, The Inside Ride Ottawa, takes place on May 11, 2016. It is presented by Nokia, produced by the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation and has confirmed participation from several companies, professional sports and government organizations including the Ottawa Senators, Ottawa Redblacks, and Ottawa Police
• Over the past eight years, Nokia's subsidiary Alcatel-Lucent has raised over $365,000, with 100% of donations going directly to those affected by this terrible disease.
• 2015 was the company's biggest campaign to date, raising CAD 80,000. Every dollar raised goes directly to Candlelighters Ottawa, who are supporting over 300 families.

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

For media inquiries, or if you would like to attend the Inside Ride: Sarah Miller, Nokia Communications, Email: [email protected], mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]