Led by Burgers to Beat MS Team Captain, Christine Sinclair—two-time Olympic bronze medalist and Canadian women's national soccer team captain—Canadians from coast-to-coast are joining the Team to show their support for those affected by MS by rounding up their bill at the A&W register, purchasing limited-edition stickers for $2, and giving through in-restaurant donation mugs.
"Burgers to Beat MS supports a cause that hits very close to home," says Christine Sinclair. "My mom was diagnosed with MS just over 30 years ago, and it had a big impact on me growing up. I watched her struggle and have experienced first-hand what families go through. I want to do anything I can to help put an end to this disease."
Sinclair will join Susan Senecal, President and CEO, A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. and Pamela Valentine, President and CEO, MS Society of Canada to visit select A&W restaurants, meet guests and staff, and serve up Root Beer® floats for a minimum $2 donation to the campaign. Events will take place in the Greater Toronto Area on Wednesday, August 15 as well as Montreal and Edmonton on Burgers to Beat MS Day on Thursday, August 16. For a full list of Sinclair-scheduled visits, please click HERE.
A&W restaurants across Canada—more than 930 locations—are hosting Burgers to Beat MS Day activities, with many featuring the Great A&W Root Bear®, A&W Root Beer® floats, music, games and other fun activities. Canadians can show their support for the cause, and help raise awareness, by posting on social media using #BurgersToBeatMS and tagging @AWCanada and @MSSocietyCanada. A&W will also donate $2** to the MS Society of Canada for every Facebook share of the Burgers to Beat MS Role Reversal video featuring Sinclair and popular A&W spokesperson, Allen—from A&W's TV commercials. Canadians can find more information and donate directly to the campaign at www.BurgersToBeatMS.ca.
"Community is so important at A&W and we want Canadians living with MS and their families to know they are not alone in their fight against the disease," says Susan Senecal. "We created the Burgers to Beat MS campaign to inspire our guests, operators and staff to come together as a sign of support for everyone that has been impacted by MS."
Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world. On average, 11 Canadians are diagnosed with MS every day and women are three times more likely than men to be diagnosed with the disease.
MS is a complex and unpredictable disease that affects each person differently. Common symptoms include: fatigue, dizziness, (muscle) weakness, impaired sensation, vision loss, mood changes, and cognitive impairment. It is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults. The cause of MS remains a mystery and as of today, there is no cure, but each day researchers are learning more about what causes the disease and ways to prevent it.
"Many Canadians have been touched by MS, and our hope is that one day there will be a cure," says Pamela Valentine. "As we work to end MS, we continue to help those affected by MS to live well. The Burgers to Beat MS campaign plays a significant role in funding critical research, advocacy, and community programs. Because of the generosity of the A&W family and their guests each year, we can continue to empower Canadians affected by MS to live their best lives."
To learn more about the impact Burgers to Beat MS has on Canadians living with and affected by MS, watch the Burgers to Beat MS – Celebrating 10 Years video on the MS Society of Canada Facebook page.
All-Day Teen Burgers
A&W proudly serves burgers all-day, every day, and will donate $2 from every Teen Burger® sold on Burgers to Beat MS Day on Thursday, August 16—from open to close—to the MS Society of Canada. Click HERE to find an A&W restaurant near you.
About A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.
A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. is Canada's original and fastest growing quick service burger chain. It's 100 per cent Canadian owned and is one of the strongest brand names in the Canadian foodservice industry. A&W is the nation's second largest hamburger chain with more than 930 locations coast-to-coast. For more information, please visit aw.ca. Find A&W on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
About multiple sclerosis and the MS Society of Canada
Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world. MS is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system comprising the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve. It is one of the most common neurological diseases affecting young adults in Canada. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40, and the unpredictable effects of MS last for the rest of their lives. The MS Society provides programs and services to people with MS and their families, advocates for those living with MS, and funds research to help improve the quality of life for people living with MS and to ultimately find a cure for this disease. Please visit mssociety.ca or call 1-800-268-7582 to make a donation or for more information.
Join the conversation and connect with the MS community online. Find the MS Society on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
*As of Tuesday, August 7, 2018
**Up to $40,000
Christine Sinclair is available for interviews Wednesday, August 15 via telephone and in person in Toronto (morning) and Thursday, August 16 via telephone and in person in Montreal (morning) and Edmonton (late afternoon).
Susan Senecal, Pamela Valentine and other A&W and MS Society of Canada spokespeople are available for interviews any time.
SOURCE A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.
or to request an interview, please contact: Sara Beckford, Strategic Objectives, [email protected], C: 416.262.7241; O: 416.366.7735 ext. 275; Jennifer Asselin, MS Society of Canada, [email protected], T: 1.800.268.7582 ext. 3144
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