Annual Golf Tournament Helps Provide Life-Changing Care to Kids Like Phil, Marc-Étienne, Alab and Robin

Come Hear Their Stories and Celebrate Our Fundraising Efforts

MONTREAL, Aug. 8, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Phil was born with cerebral palsy and has been a patient at Shriners Hospitals for Children^® – Canada most of his 18 year old life. He's undergone four surgeries and countless hours of physiotherapy. Thanks to the care at Canada Shriners Hospital and his determination, Phil has been able to accomplish something most of us dare not even attempt: he has completed two Spartan Races, known as some of the most challenging obstacle courses in the world for even the most able-bodied of us. Marc-Étienne, 18, was born with one leg shorter than the other and has undergone 12 surgeries and procedures at Canada Shriners Hospital. Despite having been in a cast only months ago, he too took on the challenge of an extreme obstacle course race this spring and succeeded. Alab is only 3 and was born in the Philippines with osteogenisis imperfecta (O.I.) or brittle bone disease. His family was told the best place in the world to be treated for O.I. was at Canada Shriners Hospital. Since starting treatment with us, Alab has "blossomed" says his mother. Robin Burns had osteomyelitis as a child and nearly lost the use of his legs. Canada Shriners Hospital treated him and he went on to become a famous NHL left-winger. We are now pleased to have Mr. Burns as one of our golf tournament organizing committee co-chairs.

On August 8, 2016, at the Summerlea Golf & Country Club in Vaudreuil-Dorion, these patients will be present to share their stories as proof that donations to Canada Shriners Hospital, including via our 6^th Annual Golf Tournament help change children's lives.

This golf tournament has become a major fundraiser, with more than 50 foursomes from across the country participating on the two courses of the prestigious Summerlea Golf & Country Club. It offers a unique golf experience while attempting to raise $500,000 to bring the six-year total for Canada Shriners Hospital's golf tournament to over $2.9 million. While funds in the past went to the new hospital's construction, monies now raised will go directly towards providing exceptional care to patients from across Canada, the United States and around the world.

We would like to thank our major sponsors: the Air Canada Foundation, 4 amis – four friends, J.E. Hanger, Château Vaudreuil, BMO Harris, Tunis Shriners, Appareils Orthopédiques BBG Inc., MSA Financial, Synvisc-One, Bentley Montreal and Bouthillette Parizeau. We are also very appreciative of local sports heros Yvan Cournoyer, Peter Dalla Riva, Sergio Momesso, Stéphane Richer and Wally Weir as well as media personalities Andrew Carter and Randy Tieman for their presence and support. Lori Graham will once again act as emcee during the evening and Elvis will miraculously be with us to entertain the crowd – a hugely anticipated comeback!

The Organizing Committee:
The success of our annual golf tournament is in great part due to founder Gino Berretta, Chairman of the Board of Governors, Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada. This 6^th annual tournament would not be possible without the tireless efforts of the organizing committee including Golf Chairman Benito Migliorati and Co-Chairs Robin Burns, Ciro Cucciniello and Mario Levasseur.

About the Hospital:
Established in Montreal in 1925, Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada is the only Canadian establishment within the network of 22 Shriners Hospitals, the others located in the U.S. and Mexico. The bilingual, short-term, acute care hospital provides ultra-specialized orthopaedic care to children from coast to coast, the U.S. and around the world. The mission of the hospital is to promote health and provide treatment and rehabilitation to infants, children and young adults with orthopaedic and neuromuscular problems such as scoliosis, brittle bone disease, club feet, hip dysplasia, leg length discrepancies and cerebral palsy. The hospital is committed to excellence and innovation in clinical practice, research and education and to ensuring patients and their families are treated in a caring, family-friendly environment. The hospital is affiliated with McGill University and provides clinical experience and teaching for residents and allied professionals. The hospital is present in communities across Canada thanks to telemedicine, outreach clinics and two satellite clinics located in Winnipeg and Halifax. Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada has been helping kids reach their full potential for 90 years and counting.

Note: Media representatives are invited to attend the event and to meet and interview the patients, Gino Berretta, Robin Burns or hospital representatives. Please contact us to schedule interviews.

Photo-opportunity:
The shot-gun start is at 11:00 am and the official announcement of the grand total raised will take place at approximately 8:00 pm.

SOURCE Shriners Hospitals For Children

RSVP or for more information: Caroline Phaneuf, Communications & Marketing, Shriners Hospitals for Children®-Canada, C: 514-778-5092, [email protected], [email protected]; Emmanuelle Rondeau, Communications & Marketing Manager, Shriners Hospitals for Children®- Canada, C: 514-207-1057, [email protected]