"Sears National Kids Cancer Ride" Recognized for best Corporate Social
Responsibility Community Initiative
Retail Council of Canada Presents Sears with the Prestigious Industry Award
TORONTO, June 9 /CNW/ - Sears Canada Inc. (TSX: SCC) has won the "Best Corporate Social Responsibility Community Initiative" Excellence in Retailing Award presented by Retail Council of Canada at the industry association's annual gala held on May 31, 2010. The award recognized the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride for its role in raising awareness and funds for children living with and beyond cancer.
"Sears is proud to be presented with an award of excellence that acknowledges our commitment to the cause of pediatric oncology," said Dene Rogers, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sears Canada. "The Award recognizes the significant investment that Sears has made in the battle against childhood cancer and is a tribute to our dedicated associates and generous customers who go above and beyond to support the national cyclists as they pass through local communities across Canada."
In 2008, Sears Canada and Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation, organizers of the event, launched a transnational bicycle trek. Billed as the largest fundraising event of its kind, the first annual Sears National Kids Cancer Ride saw 50 seasoned cyclists travel 7,600 km from Vancouver to Halifax in 19 days. The Sears National Kids Cancer Ride brought the national team of cyclists to Sears locations and pediatric oncology units across the country, heightening awareness of the cause and providing a way to activate communities in support of childhood cancer. Many Canadians joined the cause by cycling along side the national riders for a portion of the journey as the Ride passed through their city.
"The Sears National Kids Cancer Ride brings significant funding, awareness, and hope to children living with and beyond cancer right across Canada," said Jeff Rushton, Founder of Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation. "With the support of Canadians across the country we have been able to provide funding for both research and support programs for each one of the 17 pediatric oncology centers across Canada. In the first two years we have raised over $2,800,000 and with the $1,500,000 expected from the 2010 Event we are able to provide sustainable funding to this very important cause."
Cancer is the leading cause of non-accidental death in children in Canada. Each year, about 1,700 children are diagnosed with cancer. More children die of cancer each year than asthma, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and congenital anomalies combined. Childhood cancer is very different from adult cancer and places its own unique demands on our healthcare system. The treatment and cure for these children is a demanding process, often over a period of 2-3 years, the effects of which can smother childhood.
The goal of the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride is to create a successful annual cross-Canada cycling event to provide sustainable funding for pediatric oncology. Kids cancer is an under-funded national cause and this major sponsorship by Sears shines a spotlight on the need for a national approach to funding pediatric oncology.
The 2010 Sears National Kids Cancer Ride begins in Vancouver exactly three months from today on September 9th and ends in Halifax September 23rd.
Sears Canada is a multi-channel retailer with a network of 197 corporate stores, 219 dealer stores, 31 home improvement showrooms, over 1,800 catalogue merchandise pick-up locations, 108 Sears Travel offices and a nationwide home maintenance, repair, and installation network. The Company also publishes Canada's most extensive general merchandise catalogue and offers shopping online at www.sears.ca.
For further information: Eliana Cugini, Corporate Communications, (416) 941-4426, [email protected]
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