Annual Easter Seals Telethon airs this Sunday, April 10 on CBC

TORONTO, April 6, 2016 /CNW/ - This Sunday, Easter Seals Ontario will broadcast its annual Telethon on CBC and affiliate channels throughout the province. The show airs live from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will ask viewers to donate to help fund Easter Seals' programs and services that allow kids with physical disabilities to enjoy greater freedom, independence and accomplishment.  

The 6-hour fundraiser will be hosted by media celebrities including Brent Bambury, Lindsey Deluce, Dwight Drummond, Josie Dye, Kevin Frankish, Tom Harrington, Bill Hutchison, Patricia Jaggernauth, Natalie Johnson, Suzanne Leonard, Anne-Marie Mediwake, Natasha Ramsahai and Brad Smith.

The Easter Seals Telethon also features various media, entertainment and sports celebrities who dedicate their time to help raise awareness and funds for kids with physical disabilities. Tune in and see live performances by Canadian hip-hop artist Leondro; AJ Bridel from the musical Kinky Boots; 2015 Provincial Easter Seals Ambassador Victoria Chen; Canadian country band Buck Twenty; and actor and musician Kolton Stewart. Individuals are encouraged to donate online before, during, or after the show at EasterSealsTelethon.org or by calling in to the show throughout the live broadcast. 

"Our annual Telethon provides Easter Seals Ontario with an opportunity to share the inspiring stories of kids with physical disabilities and their families. It's also a time where we thank our supporters and raise much-needed funds," says Carol Lloyd, President and CEO, Easter Seals Ontario. "We're asking the public to tune in or go online and make a donation and help ensure kids with physical disabilities enjoy greater integration, mobility and participation in daily life."

Easter Seals would like to thank its generous supporters including UNIFOR, Colliers, CISCO, Rexall Foundation, Kiss the Cook Catering, McCAM Insurance, Toronto Firefighters, Toronto Police Auxiliary, Century 21, Air Canada Foundation, Ontario Ball Hockey Association, Mama's Pizza and Friends of We Care.

In addition to the Toronto Telethon, regional Telethons will also be taking place in the following communities:

Peterborough, on CHEX TV and CogecoTV 
South Eastern Ontario, on CKWS and WS Daily
Windsor-Essex, on CTV Windsor and AM800 CKLW

For the past 93 years, Easter Seals Ontario has played an integral role in providing support for children and youth with physical disabilities from all ethnic and religious backgrounds, and relies on the generosity of donors and sponsor to be able to offer its programs and services. For more information or to donate, visit EasterSeals.org.

SOURCE Easter Seals Ontario

Media contact: Franco Cignelli, Communications, 416-421-8778 ext. 326, [email protected]