The Pharmaprix Weekend to End Women's Cancers announces $3 million raised as 10th annual walk commences in Montreal Français
Quebec's largest multi-day walk for women's cancers draws 1,560 participants and funds research, treatment, care and prevention programs at Jewish General Hospital's Segal Cancer Centre in Montreal.
MONTREAL, August 23, 2014 /CNW/ - The Pharmaprix Weekend to End Women's Cancers announced 1,560 walkers helped raised over $3 million for the Jewish General Hospital's Segal Cancer Centre as the 10th annual walk commenced Saturday morning in Montreal. Quebec's largest multi-day walk supports life-saving research, treatment, care and prevention programs for women's cancers at the Segal Cancer Centre of the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal.
"This inspiring community of Montreal walkers, sponsors, volunteers, crew members and donors are responsible for the tremendous success of the 10th annual Pharmaprix Weekend to End Women's Cancers. The entire medical staff and most importantly our patients join me expressing our sincere gratitude for their continued, generous and selfless support of the critical cancer initiatives at the Segal Centre," said Myer Bick, President and CEO of the JGH Foundation.
"This year in Canada, more than 34,500 women will be diagnosed with a form of breast or gynecologic cancer, and more than 8,050 will die from the disease. Funds raised through the Montreal Weekend are making vital contributions towards our mission of ending all women's cancers by supporting our teams of doctors and researchers in their efforts to advance life-saving research, treatment, early detection and prevention programs involving breast and gynecologic cancers here in Quebec," added Bick.
In 10 years, The Weekend has raised over $55 million for the Segal Cancer Centre making it Quebec's largest multi-day walk for women's cancers. The annual two-day, 60 km walk through Montreal brings together communities of survivors and their supporters who spend months fundraising and training in order to participate.
"Earlier this summer, my 35-year-old sister, Katrina, lost her courageous battle with ovarian cancer," said Caroline Teske, a first time participant from Kingston, Ontario.
"We had been training to do The Weekend together because it was important to both of us to support the lifesaving research in addition to the knowledgeable and compassionate care provided by the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Jewish General Hospital where Katrina was treated and actually worked briefly as a cancer researcher. I am participating this weekend in her memory and to raise awareness and funds to help end all women's cancers," Teske added.
In 2010 Pharmaprix became the national title sponsor of The Weekend to End Women's Cancers and since then, more than 1,400 Pharmaprix employees, their friends and families have raised over $1.7 million in Montreal. Over and above their support, Pharmaprix's sponsorship enables more dollars raised by Weekend participants to directly support cancer programs across the province.
The Pharmaprix Weekend to End Women's Cancers is just one way that we are able to promote and improve the health of Canadian women. Pharmaprix has been caring for Quebecers for close to 50 years and given our focus on health and well-being we have always focused on ways in which we can improve the health of Canadians by giving back to the community," said Eric Bouchard, Senior Vice President, Pharmaprix.
"Our community of Pharmacist owners and their store teams are passionate and dedicated to helping Canadians have a healthier outlook on life and we are inspired to support critical advancements in cancer research, treatment and care to end all women's cancers," added Bouchard.
On Sunday, Weekend Walkers will finish their 60km journey with a closing ceremony involving survivors, walkers, crew members and volunteers. Event organizers announced that the 11th annual Montreal Weekend will take place August 22nd and 23rd of next year and that registration is now open to the public.
"We extend a warm welcome to everyone here this weekend and hope you all will join us next year for the 11th annual Weekend event," said Bick.
"Registration is officially open, so visit www.endcancer.ca or call (514)-393-WALK (9255) to register today," Bick concluded.
Event organizers expect hundreds of people to attend public cheering stations along the route. For full event details, please visit www.endcancer.ca or call (514) 393-WALK (9255).
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SOURCE: The Weekend To End Women's Cancers
Hillary Dort, Communications Coordinator, (514) 929-9255, [email protected]
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